10 special innings by Yuvraj Singh in ODIs and T20Is

5. 2/44 & 57 vs Australia (Ahmedabad, Second Quarter Final, World Cup 2011)

Yuvraj Singh celebrates after beating Australia during the quarter-final match of The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 between India and Australia

Ricky Ponting, playing in what turned out to be his last World Cup , struck a superb century as he guided Australia to a competitive total of 260. Yuvraj, however, foiled his victory plans with a superb all-round performance that enabled India to come up trumps as they humbled the defending champions by five wickets.

The left-arm spinner sent the entrenched Brad Haddin back to the pavilion after a 70-run stand with the Aussie skipper, then took out Michael Clarke courtesy an awful shot and a smart catch from Zaheer Khan, finishing with 2/44 in his full spell.

He then returned to score a vital half-century and hit the winning runs, exulting in delight as the spectators erupted in ecstasy, setting up a semi-final showdown with Pakistan.