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Yuvraj Singh, India’s hero at the 2011 World Cup, decided to call it quits on his illustrious International career, that spanned nearly two decades, on Monday. The southpaw from Punjab represented India in 40 Tests, 304 ODIs and 58 T20Is during that period and was part of the squad that won the 2007 ICC World T20 Championship as well.

Following the announcement, several cricketing stalwarts took to social media to show their support for the former World Cup winner, and amongst those was current Indian opener, Rohit Sharma.

“You don't know what you got till it’s gone. Love you brotherman. You deserved a better send off,” wrote Sharma on Twitter shortly after Yuvraj’s retirement.

In reply to that, Singh wrote “You know how I feel inside! Love you brotherman. You go be a legend.”

In an emotional farewell press conference yesterday at Mumbai, Yuvraj revealed that he was offered a retirement match by the BCCI (Board of Cricket Control in India) if he failed to pass the ‘Yo-Yo’ test, but he wanted to achieve his place on merit. Thereafter, he passed the test and that retirement match never materialized.

“I didn’t tell anyone in BCCI that I have to play a last match. If I was good enough, I would have retired on the field. I didn’t like to ask for a game because I have never played the sport with that mindset,” said the 37-year-old.

“Therefore I said I didn’t want a retirement match. I gave the ‘Yo-Yo’ test and had I failed, I’d have called it quits right then but if I passed, the rest wasn’t my call,” he added.

Photo Courtesy: AFP Photo/ Dibyangshu Sarkar

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