The young Turk

He's one of the new young stars of Indian cricket and ever since his debut in 2000 against Kenya, he has promised a lot. But he has started delivering on that promise only recently.

Among some of Yuvraj's prominent innings are efforts against Australia in his first series and the fabulous 80-odd against England in the 326-run successful chase. But he is more than just a middle order batsman for India. He can turn his arm over with some success and is one of the best Indian fielders by a long way.

Yuvraj has been part of only one World Cup campaign so far, in 2003, and he sure played his part in India making the final. Since Ajay Jadeja and Robin Singh ended their careers, India had been looking for a finisher to the innings and Yuvraj has fit into that role perfectly. He can push the scoring when setting the target and is equally adept at pacing and building an innings thoughtfully when chasing down totals.

In the last World Cup, his most significant innings was perhaps against Pakistan when he combined with Rahul Dravid to see India home. That apart, he also bowled some useful spells, none more notable than the 4/6 against Namibia. In 2003, he scored 240 runs at almost 35 per innings but most of his stints were at the end of an innings bringing down the aggregate.

Over the last two seasons or so, Yuvraj has risen in prominence and importance in the Indian team. On India's tour to the West Indies in 2006, he was the star with the bat in the ODI series and almost took India to an incredible win in the second ODI until he fell with just one run required. Nonetheless, Yuvraj has shown that he has the appetite for big matches and can handle himself in just about any situation be it with bat, ball or in the field.

Since January 2006, Yuvraj has scored 975 runs in 26 matches at a fantastic average of 54 including two hundreds and six scores of fifty-plus. One of the in-form batsmen in the Indian team, Yuvraj can be counted upon to deliver in at least one department of the game every time.

Currently just 25, he is one of the mainstays of Indian cricket for many years to come and potentially, captaincy material. For the 2007 campaign, his efforts in the Caribbean last year should hold him in good stead and his current form does give the Indian team that hope as well.

PHOTOS © GETTY IMAGES