Several questions hung over the fate of Yuvraj Singh before the second ODI against England at Cuttack.
Was the man who once hit six sixes in an over in a World T20 game past his prime? Was he too old? Did he deserve a place in the playing XI at the expense of someone younger and more deserving? Was Virat Kohli’s fondness and respect for him the only reason that he was even selected?
On Thursday, Yuvraj answered his detractors in the most emphatic manner possible – by slamming 150 (127b, 21x4 3x6), his highest-ever ODI score and his 14th century in the format.
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After England had reduced India to 25/3 in 4.4 overs, Yuvraj got together with former skipper MS Dhoni to take the attack to the visitors.
Yuvraj was aggressive from the get-go. He hit the ball to all parts of the ground and never made one feel that he was playing an ODI after three long years in the wilderness, having last played in December 2013.
As the left-hander reached his century off 98 balls, and then stepped on the accelerator, fans at the Barabati Stadium were treated to the Yuvraj of old, the courageous, in-your-face batsman whose only intent is to dominate bowlers.
In the twilight of his career, Yuvraj showed why experience and class always come out on top.
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