Did Team India miss Yuvraj Singh in 2015 Cricket World Cup

Defending champions Team India’s golden run at the 2015 Cricket World Cup was finally put to end by the mighty Australian side at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The two sides playing each other in the semi-finals stage, Michael Clarke’s Australia beat MS Dhoni led Indian side by 95 runs to progress to their seventh Cricket World Cup final. This lop-sided defeat of the ‘in-form’ Men in Blue has come as a shocker to their loyal fans, who feel they lacked the services of last World Cup hero – Yuvraj Singh. Yes, Yuvraj was indeed the man who played the major role in knocking Australia in the 2011 World Cup after winning three consecutive editions (1999, 2003 and 2007). Could he have made the difference on March 26 match? And if the answer to it is affirmative, what did Indian cricket team miss Down Under? Also Read: MS Dhoni’s fight in vain as India lose by 95 runs; Australia set to play New Zealand in final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

1. Knight in shining armour

He was the main architect of India’s recent success at ICC Word Cups, be it ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2007 or the previous edition ICC Cricket World Cup 2011,Yuvraj Singh emerged as the most valuable player. A player who can take the match away from opponent team’s grasps in matter of few overs is always missed. One bad match from the current crop should not be used as an excuse to undermine the team but one cannot deny how badly Yuvraj was missed when Indian batsmen fell like nine-pins. Also Read: India vs Australia ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Steve Smith’s ton, MS Dhoni’s fight among Top 5 Highlights of IND vs AUS.

2. Yuvraj Singh’s Golden Arm

After inviting the Indian bowling line-up to bowl first on Sydney track, Michael Clarke and co. blasted their way to make a monstrous total of 328. Despite Indian bowlers managed to put some brakes on their run-scoring,the solid 182-run partnership hurt the side early on. During such situations, Yuvraj has proven to be Captain Dhoni’s Man Friday. He had the knack of picking wickets and breaking partnerships. Apart from the dangerous batsman Yuvraj is, he was terribly missed as a resourceful bowler.

3. Role of Finisher

MS Dhoni is regarded as the greatest finisher of the modern day cricket but on March 26, he ran out of partners on the other end. Yuvraj Singh has played several match winning knocks that has taken the team across the finish line. In World Cup 2011, India would not have landed the trophy had he not played some of the crucial knocks.

- From India.com

not making it into Indian team Yuvraj Singh disappointment

All-rounder, Yuvraj Singh, on Wednesday said that he was disappointed at not making it into the Indian cricket team. After successfully fighting cancer, Yuvraj, made a brief return to the Indian team when he played Twenty20 matches, but he has been a pale shadow of himself on his comeback trail. He last played for India in a ODI in December 2013.

"Definitely, a comeback to the Indian team is a goal. It's always disappointing when you don't make it to the side. However, that said, the last two years have been patchy, up and down. Hopefully, things will change, and I will be picked again, otherwise life will be very depressing. I can only try and do my best," the left-handed batsman told Wisden India.

When asked if the thought of not being picked for India again ever crossed his mind, he said, "Of course, there is a possibility that I may never play for India again. I have considered that. However, there is also the possibility that I might play for India again, and as long as I believe that I can come back and I have it in me, I'm going to keep pushing myself."

Yuvraj said that he along with other sidelined and struggling players like Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir often talk about the good days.

"We always talk about the time we spent playing for India. We all know that those were the most amazing years of our lives. However, life still goes on, even when you're not in the team. You just have to be positive and keep working hard."

Yuvraj did not do much to stake claim in the national team, but he has still not given up.

"I can't really speak about selection. What is the best opportunity that I have? Duleep Trophy, the Ranji and whatever other games I can get. As I said, if I can make it to the squad, it will be a great story. It will be awesome to come back and play for India in a World Cup again. If it doesn't happen, life goes on, and it will be hard to accept, but Ill have to accept it," he concluded.