5 Yuvraj Singh records you probably didn't know about

Retired Indian great Yuvraj Singh turned 42 on Tuesday, December 12. The former ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup winner is an embodiment of resilience; he overcame several personal challenges to carve an everlasting legacy in the annals of Indian cricket.

From his swashbuckling strokeplay to his remarkable fielding skills, Yuvraj's impact on the game has transcended generations. His free-flowing bat-swing and classy lofted strokes made him a delight to watch.

With 11,778 international runs and 148 wickets across all three formats, the legendary all-rounder gave his all for Team India. His iconic six sixes against England at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the "Man of the Tournament" display at the 2011 ODI World Cup are still remembered as some of the greatest individual performances by an Indian.

While most of his accolades and milestones are known to most cricket fans, there are a few records that might surprise even the most ardent of them. On the occasion of his 42nd birthday, let's take a look at five of Yuvraj Singh's records which you probably didn't know.

[Stat credit: @Shebas_10dulkar]

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#5 Only player to win Man of the Match award in all three ICC tournaments' knockout matches

Yuvraj Singh after the Pakistan v India - Twenty20 Championship Final 2007 [Getty Images]

Yuvraj Singh, a man for big occasions, frequently put forth his best efforts when it came to must-win situations for Team India. He proved to be a match-winner in almost every ICC World Cup.

Yuvraj put in a string of stellar performances during the T20 World Cup 2007 in South Africa and the 2011 ODI World Cup in India. In fact, he is the only player ever to win the Man of the Match (MOTM) award in all three ICC major tournaments' (ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy) knockout matches.

In the ICC Champions Trophy, Yuvraj won the MOTM award in the first quarter-final clash against Australia in 2000. In the ODI World Cup, Yuvraj once again trumped Australia in the quarter-final match in Ahmedabad in 2011. His only MOTM award in a T20 World Cup knockout game also came against Australia, when he smacked a 30-ball 70 in the first semi-final in 2007.

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#4 Youngest Indian to score an overseas ODI century

Yuvraj Singh for India in 2003 [Getty Images]

Back in 2003, Yuvraj Singh got his maiden ODI hundred for India while playing in a tri-series against South Africa and Bangladesh.

After batting first in Dhaka, Yuvraj came to bat at No. 5 for India. He ended up smashing the Bangladeshi bowlers with utter disdain. With the help of nine boundaries and four sixes, Yuvraj accumulated 102* off 85 balls.

India won the game by 200 runs, and Yuvraj became the youngest Indian ever to record an ODI century away from home. He was only 21 years and 120 days old at the time.

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#3 Youngest Indian to win a Man of the Match award in an ICC tournament

Yuvraj Singh during his debut in 2000 [Getty Images]

Yuvraj Singh announced his arrival on the international stage with his magnificent 84 off 80 against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy 2000 quarterfinals.

It isn't everyday that a rookie batter puts a formidable Aussie bowling attack to the sword. But batting for the very first time for India, Yuvraj was the highest run-scorer for his side and he helped the Men in Blue win the encounter by 20 runs.

He was also adjudged as the Player of the Match, thus becoming the youngest Indian ever to receive a MOTM award in an ICC tournament match. He was only 18 years and 299 days old then.

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#2 Only player to take two IPL hat-tricks in one season

Yuvraj Singh for Kings XI Punjab in 2008 [Getty Images]

Apart from his free-flowing batting, Yuvraj Singh was more than a handy left-arm off-spinner too. He was used very wisely by MS Dhoni, especially in white-ball cricket.

Aside from his stupendous batting milestones, Yuvraj also earned himself a terrific bowling record. While captaining Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Yuvraj bagged two hat-tricks during IPL 2009.

IPL 2009, which was held in South Africa, first saw Yuvraj take a hat-trick against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). In what was Match 24 of the tournament, he took the wickets of Robin Uthappa, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher off three consecutive balls.

In Match 49 of the same season, Yuvraj did the unthinkable and took another hat-trick. This time it was against the now-defunct Deccan Chargers.

Yuvraj became the first-ever player to bag two IPL hat-tricks in a single edition by scalping the wickets of Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Symonds and Venugopal Rao.

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#1 India won every single time Yuvraj Singh remained unbeaten during a run-chase (ODIs and T20Is)

Australia v India - 2011 ICC World Cup Quarter-Final

Every time Yuvraj Singh remained not out during a run-chase in ODIs or T20Is, Team India ended up winning the match.

One of India's finest white-ball players, Yuvraj remained unbeaten 36 times during an ODI or T20I run-chase. The list includes some of his most famous knocks, such as the 57* against Australia at the 2011 World Cup, the 107* against Pakistan in 2006, and the 77* against Australia in a T20I in 2013.