10 special innings by Yuvraj Singh in ODIs and T20Is

2. 103 vs South Africa (Hyderabad, 2005)

Yuvraj Singh raises his bat as he celebrates after he scored a century during the first One Day International (ODI) match against South Africa at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad

Yuvraj scored three centuries in this season, and all three came under high-pressure situations. This one also stands out for the fact that it was a carefully crafted innings, bereft of the kind of dazzle that usually accompanies the stylish batsman’s approach to the crease.

India had been pegged back by the initial burst from South Africa’s pace attack as Ntini, Pollock and Nel reduced them to 35/5 in the 12th over.

However, Yuvraj dropped anchor at one end, combining with Irfan Pathan for a 75-run stand to bring some normalcy back into the innings, then added quick runs with Dhoni and Agarkar, bringing up his century in the process.

He was the ninth man out, falling after holding the innings together till the 48th over. Unfortunately, his watchful knock couldn’t prevent India from losing by five wickets.