Gary Kirsten Recalls How Yuvraj Singh Was Nearly Left Out of the 2011 World Cup Squad
India’s World Cup-winning coach from 2011, Gary Kirsten, has opened up with an unexpected insight: Yuvraj Singh, who later emerged as the Player of the Tournament, was not an automatic choice for the final squad. His inconsistent performance during 2010 had placed his selection in doubt. Even so, Kirsten and the then Indian captain MS Dhoni pushed hard for his place in the team.
Placing their confidence in Yuvraj turned out to be a brilliant call. Throughout the World Cup, he delivered crucial performances — amassing 362 runs and claiming 15 wickets — significantly contributing to India’s historic World Cup win after nearly three decades.
In the final match, India triumphed over Sri Lanka by six wickets, with Dhoni sealing the victory with a memorable six. The moment where Yuvraj and Dhoni celebrated together after the win remains a cherished memory for Indian cricket fans.
Kirsten reflected on how close the decision had been. “Thank goodness we picked him, because it really was a close call. His selection was far from certain. The selectors had long discussions over the final 15,” he recalled.
Sharing a personal note, Kirsten said, “I always had a soft corner for Yuvi. Our relationship had its moments — he could be incredibly frustrating at times — but I absolutely admired his talent. Watching him bat was simply mesmerizing. I always wanted him to keep scoring because he was such a joy to watch.”
He further recognized the contribution of Paddy Upton, the team’s mental and leadership coach, in helping Yuvraj rediscover his best form.
“There was a path Yuvi needed to walk, and a lot of credit goes to Paddy. He worked closely with Yuvraj to help him get mentally and physically ready for the World Cup. And Yuvi himself made some tough decisions to ensure he was fully prepared,” Kirsten concluded.
