Which title does Yuvraj Singh hold that MS Dhoni or Rohit Sharma don’t?

Former Indian star Yuvraj Singh is celebrating his 43rd birthday on Thursday. The left-handed batter played a key role during India’s title wins during the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. Despite going through serious health concerns, Yuvraj found himself giving it all and claiming the player of the tournament award. 

There is one title, though Yuvraj Singh holds, that former India skipper MS Dhoni or current captain Rohit Sharma don’t. Yuvraj won the Under-19 World Cup with India in 2000 under the captaincy of Mohammad Kaif. The tournament in Sri Lanka saw India beat the hosts in the finals by 6 wickets to claim the title. 

Interestingly, MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir weren’t selected in the squad led by Kaif. Apart from Kaif and Yuvraj, some of the other members who graduated into the national team were Reetinder Sodhi, Ajay Ratra, and Venugopal Rao. 

Laying down the marker in Sri Lanka 

Yuvraj Singh was already earmarked as a name to remember ahead of his inclusion in the squad for the Under-19 World Cup. Yuvraj was the eighth-best batter in the tournament with 203 runs from 8 matches with 2 half-centuries. The left-handed batter had an average of 33 and had the best strike rate in the tournament, nearing 104. 

In the first game of the tournament, India beat Bangladesh by 122 runs, with Yuvraj scoring 6 runs and picking one wicket. The next game against the Netherlands was washed out due to rain, not before Singh picked 2/4 and fell for a golden duck. In the third game, Kaif-led India faced New Zealand; this is where Yuvraj made his presence felt. 

Team India batted first and were all out for 199, with Yuvraj scoring 68 runs from 62 balls with 12 fours. With the ball, the young left-arm spinner bowled 9.3 overs and picked 4/36. His scalps included Jonthan McNamee, Gareth Irwin, and future Kiwi stars like Nathan McCullum and Ian Butler. 

The next opposition for India was Nepal, and Kaif’s men made light work of their opposition. For the second game in a row, Yuvraj picked 4 wickets and was not out on 7 to help India win by 8 wickets. England were then vanquished by 9 wickets as Ravneet Ricky and Manish Sharma’s half-centuries saw India win with ease. 

In the final super league game before the semi-finals, India easily beat hosts Sri Lanka by 41 runs. Yuvraj scored 36 with the bat and picked the lone wicket of Kaushal Lokuarachchi. It was during the semi-finals against Australia that Yuvraj showed the world what made him the special talent the world was raving about. 

India batted first and scored 284 on the board, with Australia boasting of future stars like Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson, and Shaun Marsh. Opening batter Ravneet Ricky scored 108 while Manish Sharma scored 65. Yuvraj Singh, batting at 4, then smashed 58 off just 25 balls in a knock that had five fours and five huge sixes. Australia were all out for 114 and lost the match by 170 runs. 

In the finals, hosts Sri Lanka were all out for 178, with Jehan Mubarak top scoring with 58. India chased down the total with 6 wickets left and 56 balls still to play. Yuvraj was out for 27 as Reetinder Sodhi’s 39 not out and Niraj Patel's 34 not out helped the side win the title. Yuvraj was named player of the tournament for 203 runs and 12 wickets with the ball.