Yograjsingh Bhagsingh Bhundel, well-known as Yograj Singh, was a right-hand batsman and a right-arm fast-medium pace bowler. This cricket-personality was born on 25 March, 1958 in Chandigarh, of Punjab, in India.
Early Career of Yograj Singh
He has participated in one Test and six One-Day Internationals for India. Yograj`s debut appearance in first-class cricket was for the Punjab cricket team, in the 1976-1977 seasons. He catered to the Punjab cricket team and the Haryana cricket team, in the sphere of first class cricket. The same year, he represented the Combined Universities team against the English cricket team (MCC).
Career as an Indian Cricketer
Yograj`s merit soon popularised his name. He got selected for the Indian cricket team, ready to join the tour for the 1980 One-Day Internationals of the Benson & Hedges World Series, to be held in Australia .Their series rivals were Australia and New Zealand. He created a fairly good record of capturing four wickets at an average of 46.5. His optimal performance was supposed to be the 2 for 44 runs, during his debut against New Zealand at the Gabba. However, his batting skill was nil. He only scored one run in his six matches, on a low average of 0.50.
In the 1980-81 seasons he was provided the opportunity to be a part of the Indian cricket team, setting out on an expedition to New Zealand. He took part in two more One-Day Internationals.
His first Test, the opponent team was New Zealand. He was the opening bowler with his illustrious partner Kapil Dev. Yograj Singh bowled a baffling bouncer which annexed the ex-Indian coach and New Zealand player, John Wright.
However, an aerial ball, that he missed, wounded him in the eye, while serving as a fielder in fine leg position. Yet this man, with his tremendous resolution and promise sustained through the entire first innings, although he had to refrain from bowling in the second innings, in spite of executing batting as the eleventh batsman. Post this accident, he did not again resume to international cricket. Yograj bade farewell to his playing career in first-class cricket in 1985.
Batting and Fielding Averages
| Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | Ct | St | |
| Tests | 1 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 5.00 | 50 | 20.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0.50 | 12 | 8.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| First-class | 30 | 35 | 9 | 398 | 49* | 15.30 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | ||||
| List A | 13 | 10 | 3 | 39 | 13 | 5.57 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||
Bowling Averages
| Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10 | |
| Tests | 1 | 1 | 90 | 63 | 1 | 1/63 | 1/63 | 63.00 | 4.20 | 90.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 6 | 5 | 244 | 186 | 4 | 2/44 | 2/44 | 46.50 | 4.57 | 61.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| First-class | 30 | 3309 | 1756 | 66 | 7/36 | 26.60 | 3.18 | 50.1 | 1 | 0 | |||
| List A | 13 | 619 | 447 | 14 | 4/28 | 4/28 | 31.92 | 4.33 | 44.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Yograj Singh is the prime guiding spirit, functioning behind the making of his son Yuvraj Singh into an excellent cricketer for the Indian team.
Life After Cricket for Yograj Singh
After retirement, Yograj Singh used his passion for films and urges to act in films and entered the glamour world of Punjab film industry, as an actor. He has been cast in probably 150 films. His crowning glory in acting profession is his performance as a villain in "Badla Jatti Da".
Filmography of Yograj Singh
Batwara (1983)
Yaar Gareeban Daa (1986)
Jatt Tey Zameen (1987)
Qurbani Jatt Di (1990)
Jorr Jatt Da (1991)
Badla Jatti Da (1991)
Vichhoda (1991)
Jagga Daku (1991)
Insaaf (1992)
Insaaf Ki Devi (1992)
Jatt Punjab Daa (1992)
Sali Adhi Gharwali (1992)
Lalkara Jatti Da (1992)
Jidd Jattan Di (1992)
Jigra Jatt Da (1993)
Jatt Sucha Singh Surma (1993)
Insaf Punjab Da (1993) (Double role)
Jora Jatt (1994)
Kachehri (1994)
Vichhora (1994)
Lalkare Sheran De (1994)
Kabza (1995)
Jakhmi Jangirdar (1995)
Nain Preeto De (1995)
Tera Mera Pyar (1996)
Sikandera (2001)
Shreeman Chanakya (2004)
West Is West (2010)
Teen Thay Bhai (2011)
To sum up, the promising cricketer, and successful actor, Yograj Singh, is also a loving, caring father, always desiring his son`s well-being.
