Five top ODI fielders of all time

4. Yuvraj Singh (India)

For India to revive after the sordid saga of match-fixing and enter into the new millennium with a clean slate, the focus had to shift to youth.

One aspect youngsters bring is oodles of energy and the right attitude, and when it is channelled on the field, it galvanises the entire team.

Yuvraj Singh, along with Mohammad Kaif, led the Indian renaissance in an art that most people, including fans of the Men in Blue, would point out as one of their chief weaknesses.

Backed by new coach John Wright, whose emphasis on fielding was religiously followed by the squad, Yuvraj would provide the extra yard of athleticism the side lacked for decades. Primarily favouring point, near the square leg umpire, he has pulled off one-handed stunners, and somehow manages to contort his body like elastic when taking those low, dipping catches.

With a unique way of diving, cupping his hands with the fingers pointing downwards, the Punjab youngster, in tandem with the equally energetic Kaif, was at the forefront in making India a top-class fielding side. Although age, a growing waistline (which he has now trimmed) and a spate of injuries have seen his effectiveness diminish somewhat, he is still an exceptional fielder. With the arrival of Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj is now the experienced leader of the fielding side!