When MS Dhoni Fought with Selectors for Yuvraj Singh in the 2011 ODI World Cup
For cricket fans from the 1990s, the 2011 ODI World Cup was a dream come true. India, led by MS Dhoni, lifted the trophy after 28 long years with a legendary team featuring Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, and Sehwag.
But recently, former coach Gary Kirsten revealed that Yuvraj was almost dropped from the squad before the tournament. The selectors were unsure about picking him, but it was Dhoni who stood firm and backed Yuvraj. He believed in his match-winning ability and convinced the selectors to include him. The rest is history as Yuvraj became the Player of the Tournament and played a massive role in India’s World Cup win.
How MS Dhoni Went to Bat for Yuvraj Singh in the 2011 World Cup
Back in 2011, when they were picking the Indian cricket team for the World Cup, Yuvraj Singh was in deep trouble. His batting wasn’t firing, and some selectors were ready to kick him to the curb. The guy who used to hit sixes like it was nothing looked like he had lost his touch. But MS Dhoni, India’s chill captain, and coach Gary Kirsten weren’t about to let him go. They stuck their necks out for Yuvraj, and that call ended up being one of the biggest wins in Indian cricket history.
Yuvraj was having a tough time in the year before the World Cup. He scored just 440 runs in 20 ODIs, barely managing three fifties. On the tour to South Africa, he scratched out only 91 runs in five games. At home against New Zealand, he got 120 runs in four matches. To the selectors, Yuvraj looked like he was in a rut, not the guy you would want in a high-pressure World Cup. Some of them were dead set on dropping him, thinking he would fold when the going got tough. But Dhoni and Kirsten weren’t buying it. They knew Yuvraj had a spark, the kind that shows up in big moments. They fought hard to keep him in the lineup, betting he would come through. As Kirsten later put it:
Thank goodness we picked him because it was flipping close, he was. It was not a slam-dunk selection. The selectors kind of debated around the 15 players. I was very keen to have him in the team, as was Dhoni, because of the experience that he brought to the group. And look at the World Cup he ended up having.
Gary Kirsten reveals that he and MS Dhoni had to persuade the selectors to pick Yuvraj Singh for the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 19, 2025
A decision that paid off as Yuvraj went on to become the Player of the Tournament. pic.twitter.com/EZDxJKkLfH
That belief was a total game-changer. When the World Cup started, Yuvraj didn’t just shut up his critics as he lit up the tournament. He piled on 362 runs and nabbed 15 wickets, walking away with the Player of the Tournament award. He was clutch, smashing runs and taking wickets in group games and the knockouts, showing why Dhoni and Kirsten had his back. What blows the mind about Yuvraj’s story is what he was dealing with off the field. Nobody knew it then, but he was fighting a rare lung cancer. Even though he was feeling beat up and worn out, he kept showing up for India, giving it everything. The team’s mental coach, Paddy, was a big help, keeping Yuvraj’s head in the game. Kirsten had a real soft spot for him and said:
I was always very fond of Yuvraj. We had this kind of great relationship where like, he used to frustrate the hell out of me sometimes, but I just loved him. He was good. I just want him to be scoring runs all the time because when I watch him bat, it’s just like amazing to watch. But there was a journey he had to walk, and credit to Paddy. Paddy did a lot of work with Yuvi to get him ready for that World Cup. Yuvi himself made some key decisions around getting himself prepared and ready for the World Cup.
India's former head coach Gary Kirsten revealed that selectors were not entirely backing Yuvraj Singh for the 2011 World Cup squad, but he and MS Dhoni were keen to get him. pic.twitter.com/kHZbMbmjGz
— Cricket.com (@weRcricket) July 19, 2025
Yuvraj knew this was his shot to prove everyone wrong. He rolled up his sleeves, worked on his game, and got his mind right. From nearly getting the boot to being the tournament’s biggest star, his comeback was unreal. He wasn’t just playing for stats as he was playing with heart, pushing through sickness and doubt to help India win the World Cup after 28 years. If Dhoni and Kirsten hadn’t stood by him, India might’ve missed out on one of the wildest stories in cricket.
Yuvraj’s journey was bigger than just cricket. It was about fighting through the toughest times and coming out on top. His guts, especially while battling something as heavy as cancer, fired up fans and teammates alike. Yuvraj gave India a story to tell for generations, showing what happens when someone’s got your back and you give it your all.
Yuvraj Singh’s Performance in the 2011 ODI World Cup
Yuvraj Singh wasn’t just on the 2011 World Cup team, as he was the one who carried India. His runs in the middle order and wickets at key moments were huge in ending India’s 28-year wait for the trophy. He showed up when it counted, proving why Dhoni and Kirsten fought to keep him in. India started off against Bangladesh on February 19 in Mirpur. Yuvraj didn’t bat but bowled seven overs, giving up 42 runs. India won easily by 87 runs. The next game against England in Bengaluru was a crazy tie. Yuvraj blasted 58 off 50 balls, smacking nine fours, to keep India in the fight. He showed he was ready to roll.
YUVRAJ SINGH IN WORLD CUP 2011:
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 12, 2024
– 58, 50*, 51*, 12, 113, 57*, 0, 21*.
– 0/42, 0/46, 5/31, 2/43, 2/18, 2/44, 2/57, 2/49.
– Player of the tournament.
The birthday boy was special during the iconic win of Team India in 2011. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/TtZe5AQNkS
Against Ireland in Bengaluru, Yuvraj was straight-up electric. He scored a smooth, unbeaten 50 off 75 balls, helping India to a five-wicket win. But his bowling was bonkers, with 10 overs, 31 runs, and five wickets. He made history as the first player in a World Cup to score a fifty and grab a five-wicket haul in one match. Yuvraj was back, and everyone knew it. In Delhi against the Netherlands, he kept the good stuff going, scoring an unbeaten 51 off 73 balls and snagging two wickets.
India won by five wickets, with Yuvraj shining bright. Things got rough against South Africa in Nagpur, where India lost by three wickets. Yuvraj chipped in with a quick 12 off 9 balls and bowled eight overs for 47 runs, but it wasn’t enough to seal the deal. He came back swinging against the West Indies in Chennai, hammering a match-winning 113 off 123 balls, with ten fours and two sixes. He also grabbed two wickets in four overs, earning Man of the Match in India’s 80-run win.
The guy was on fire. In the semifinal against Pakistan in Mohali, Yuvraj had a rare dud, getting out for a golden duck. But he didn’t let it faze him, bowling 10 overs and taking two wickets to help India win by 29 runs. In the final against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, Yuvraj was cool as ice. He scored an unbeaten 21 off 24 balls and bowled a tight 10 overs, taking two wickets for 49 runs. His steady vibe helped India chase down the target for a six-wicket win, lifting the World Cup.
#OnThisDay in 2011 Worldcup
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) April 2, 2025
Yuvraj Singh Won Player of the Tournament!
362 runs || 90.50 Avg || 1 100s
15 Wickets || 1 Fifer || 3 catches
M.O.M Awards for India in 2011WC
4 – Yuvraj Singh
3 – All Others Indian Players pic.twitter.com/EK9NwThY7S
| Match No. | Date | Opponent | Venue | Yuvraj Singh’s Performance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 Feb 2011 | Bangladesh | Mirpur | Batting: Did not bat Bowling: 7-0-42-0 | India won by 87 runs |
| 2 | 27 Feb 2011 | England | Bengaluru | Batting: 58 (50), 9×4 Bowling: 7-0-46-0 | Match tied |
| 3 | 6 Mar 2011 | Ireland | Bengaluru | Batting: 50* (75), 3×4 Bowling: 10-0-31-5 | India won by 5 wickets |
| 4 | 9 Mar 2011 | Netherlands | Delhi | Batting: 51* (73), 7×4 Bowling: 9-1-43-2 | India won by 5 wickets |
| 5 | 12 Mar 2011 | South Africa | Nagpur | Batting: 12 (9), 1×6 Bowling: 8-0-47-0 | India lost by 3 wickets |
| 6 | 20 Mar 2011 | West Indies | Chennai | Batting: 113 (123), 10×4, 2×6 Bowling: 4-0-18-2 | India won by 80 runs |
| 7 | 30 Mar 2011 | Pakistan | Mohali | Batting: 0 (1) Bowling: 10-1-57-2 | India won by 29 runs |
| 8 | 2 Apr 2011 | Sri Lanka | Mumbai | Batting: 21* (24), 2×4 Bowling: 10-0-49-2 | India won by 6 wickets |
Yuvraj ended with 362 runs and 15 wickets in eight matches, earning the Player of the Tournament award. His fight through illness and his magic on the field made him a legend. Yuvraj’s 2011 World Cup run is all about heart, hustle, and triumph, showing what happens when someone believes in you and you leave it all out there.
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