By Rahul Banerji
He had a happy knack of swinging for the fences with a cricket bat, but Yuvraj Singh has switched willow for steel and will now be seen competing internationally on a golf course.
The powerful left-hander who capped his cricketing career with a man of the series performance in India’s 2011 World Cup-winning campaign will soon be seen in a new role, and in a different arena.
Yuvraj, a proficient golfer since hanging up his cricket boots two years ago, has been invited to join a celebrity golf series and will be in action later this month in the United States.
The big-hitting all-rounder joins a Rest of the World roster led by South African golf legend Ernie Els in the Icon Series, a “10-hole team matchplay tournament”, a statement from the event’s organisers said.
The inaugural Icons Series will be played between the RoW and Team USA at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City from June 30 to July 1.
Path-breaking format
“The competition will bring together the world’s most iconic athletes across multiple sports and features global sporting stars involved like never before,” organisers said.
“Singh was a child prodigy and made announced himself on the world stage during India’s victorious 2000 Under-19 World Cup before helping India to glory in the 2002 NatWest final at Lord’s,” the statement noted.
“He also helped India win the 2007 World T20, notably hitting six sixes in an over and hitting the Australian attack for a 30-ball 70. “Singh was part of the India team that won the 2011 World Cup to underline his position among the greats of post-Millennium cricket.”
Yuvraj himself is quite looking forward to this new role.
“I’m really excited to join the Icons Series and represent India in the Rest of the World Team.
“We already have a team full of great talent and the toughest of competitors and it’s going to be nice to actually play alongside AB de Villiers, Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara after years of battling it out in the cricket field in our own sport.
“I can see how seriously Team USA is taking event but I will be ready and can’t wait to get out there. I’m looking forward to seeing all the Indian fans down at Liberty National.”
Added Icons Series chief executive, Thomas Brookes. “Yuvraj has always been renowned for his swashbuckling approach to cricket and I have no doubt he will do the same in our first Icons Series event.
“I know he’s going to add some dynamism and competition to a great field of players taking part.”
Marquee names
Singh will be part of the RoW team led by four-time major champion Els that includes former tennis world no. 1 Ash Barty, boxing legend Canelo Alvarez and Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola.
Team RoW also has England national football team captain Harry Kane, World Rugby Hall of Famer, George Gregan, and three-time Premier League winner James Milner.
The Team USA roster is led by World Golf Hall of Famer Fred Couples.
It features the most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl champion Michael Strahan, Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger, and others.
Team USA and Team World will announce additional members to the event lineup in the coming weeks, with 12 total icons per team participating.
“Icons Series is a world-first, innovative new concept in sport and entertainment which brings bonafide global icons together for an ultra-competitive team match-play tournament,” the statement said.
Event format
“The events feature Team USA against Team Rest of World, with rosters composed of the biggest names in sport battling it out in a new frontier in entertainment.
“Founded by visionary global sports executive Thomas Brookes, Icons Series launches at Liberty National Golf Club in 2022 with additional worldwide events to follow.
More information about the series can be found at www.icons-series.com.
The venue, Liberty National Golf Club, hosted the Presidents Cup in 2017 as well as multiple PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoff events.
Also read: DJ fronts LIV Golf field for inaugural Invitational in London
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A very good read. Many will be waiting to see Yuvraj game of golf at international level. His arrival is good for the sport.