MS Dhoni dragged as Gary Kirsten reveals how India almost snubbed Yuvraj Singh from 2011 WC squad

India's iconic win in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 has to date remained one of the most memorable days in the lives of several modern Indian cricket fans, who were not witnesses to the first World Cup glory in 1983.

India was the best team in the competition as every single player played their role to hand India the ICC Cricket World Cup after a wait of 28 years. MS Dhoni became a door-to-door name after the title clinch.

However, one man who had an immense impact on India's win was Yuvraj Singh, the left-handed master all-rounder from India. Singh was eventually also announced as the Man of the Tournament for his all-round excellence with both bat and ball.

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The coach and captain fought for Yuvraj Singh in the World Cup squad, reveals Gary Kirsten

Amid talks of the iconic World Cup campaign, former India coach Gary Kirsten has revealed some scenarios from pre-World Cup preparations. He mentioned that the selectors had doubts about Yuvraj Singh, and his place in the squad was not guaranteed.

However, he stressed the fact that it was he himself, alongside Indian skipper MS Dhoni, who assured the selectors and fought with them for having Yuvraj Singh in the side.

"Thank goodness we picked him because it was flipping close, he was. It was not a slam-dunk selection. The selectors kind of debated around the 15 players. I was very keen to have him in the team, as was Dhoni, because of the experience that he brought to the group. And look at the World Cup he ended up having," said Gary on Rediff.

Yuvraj Singh was named Man of the Tournament in the 2011 CWC

Though a stunning player, Gary Kirsten revealed how Yuvraj Singh used to frustrate him at times, and it was to Paddy Upton, the mental conditioning and strategic leadership coach, who helped him prepare for the big tournament.

"I was always very fond of Yuvraj. We had this kind of great relationship where like, he used to frustrate the hell out of me sometimes, but I just loved him. He was good. I just want him to be scoring runs all the time because when I watch him bat, it's just like amazing to watch. But there was a journey he had to walk and credit to Paddy.

"Paddy did a lot of work with Yuvi to get him ready for that World Cup. Yuvi himself made some key decisions around getting himself prepared and ready for the World Cup," said the former South African great.

Yuvraj Singh had an impressive World Cup, rather the best in his career, as he evolved as India's finest all-rounder. He amassed 362 runs and earned 15 scalps to his name, which earned him the title of 'Player of the Tournament,' despite suffering from cancer.

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Yuvraj Singh-led India to defend the WCL title soon

Last year, the World Championship of Legends was announced, and it features legends of the game from different. India is one among the participant teams, as the matches will be played across England in the 4 venues of Birmingham, Leeds, Northampton, and Leicester.

Scheduled to start today with the inaugural match to be played at Edgbaston, India will advance to defend their title from the 2024 season. The England and Pakistan champions will start the proceedings on the 18th.

Yuvraj Singh was the captain of the Indian Champions who beat the Pakistan Champions in the final of the last season to win the maiden title. This time around as well, Yuvi is all set to enter the arena as the Indian captain.

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