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An 18-year-old Yuvraj Singh smashed an 84 off 80 against Australia, in only his second ODI in the Champions Trophy in 2000.
Seventeen years later, a 35-year-old Yuvraj scored a match-winning 53 off 32 against Pakistan in India’s Champions Trophy opener against Pakistan on Sunday.
Courtesy Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan’s 136-run partnership and subsequent hitting by skipper Virat Kohli, India were at a comfortable 192/1 when Yuvraj Singh walked in to bat at the Edgbaston stadium.
After being dropped by Hasan Ali when he was on 9, classic Yuvi started thrashing Pakistani bowlers all around.
While Kohli was scratchy for a major part of his innings, Yuvi hit eight boundaries and a six in his knock. The skipper too made up for a sluggish start with a late flourish, ending with six fours and three sixes.
Besides his stunning performance with the bat on Sunday, Yuvraj also won hearts with his gesture towards Wahab Riaz, who injured his ankle while bowling to Yuvi and had to walk off the field with one ball left to bowl.
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Riaz (87/0 from 8.4 overs), who conceded the most runs by any bowler in the Champions Trophy on Sunday, was later unable to bat due to his ankle injury.
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