• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Yuvraj Singh Wasnt A Certainty For 2011 World Cup Squad Ex Coach Drops Bombshell

"Yuvraj Singh Wasn't A Certainty For 2011 World Cup Squad" Ex-Coach Drops Bombshell

Anurag Dasgupta

Kirsten on Yuvraj Singh [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com] Kirsten on Yuvraj Singh [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

When we remember the 2011 World Cup, the first Indian player who comes to our mind is Yuvraj Singh. The former cricketer was the best player of the tournament, and his all-round contribution helped India win their second-ever 50-over World Cup. The elegant player was difference maker as after 28 years, India captured the World title under the guidance of MS Dhoni.

Kirsten's huge Yuvraj Singh revelation after 14 years

However, in the latest revelation from former India coach, Gary Kirsten, Yuvraj wasn't a certainty in the squad for the 2011 World Cup and was only picked when MS Dhoni and Kirsten insisted upon it. Speaking to Rediff.com, Kirsten dropped a bombshell by stating that if not for him or MSD, the script for the 2011 WC would have been different.

"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," Kirsten said on Rediff, as quoted by Indian Express.

"I was always very fond of Yuvraj. He used to frustrate the hell out of me sometimes, but I just loved him. He was good. I just wanted him to be scoring runs all the time because watching him bat was amazing," Kirsten said.

Yuvraj's brilliance helped India win World Cup

If it wasn't for Yuvraj, India wouldn't have become the World Champions in 2011. His numbers in the tournament were outstanding, as the all-rounder scored 362 runs in 8 innings, at an average of 90.50. 

Also, Yuvraj showed his brilliance with the ball, picking up 15 wickets, at an average of 25.13. Throughout the tournament, he performed with both bat and ball as India won the tournament, thanks to his brilliance.