NEW DELHI: Cricketing legends, Bollywood charm, and heartfelt memories came together in London as Yuvraj Singh hosted a star-studded fundraising gala for his cancer charity, YouWeCan. From Shubman Gill’s grand entrance to Rishabh Pant’s record bid, and touching anecdotes by Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli — the evening was a powerful blend of celebration, nostalgia, and purpose, raising over £1 million for cancer patients.
A Standing Ovation for the New Indian Captain
It felt like a royal coronation. As Shubman Gill descended the staircase into a grand London ballroom lit with chandeliers, cricket’s greatest names stood in applause. Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, BCCI officials, and London’s elite celebrated Gill’s recent record-breaking feats. Later, Virat Kohli made a surprise appearance, completing the galaxy of cricket stars gathered in Yuvraj Singh’s honour.
This wasn’t just a party — it was a purpose-driven evening hosted to raise funds for YouWeCan, Yuvraj Singh’s cancer charity. The entire Indian squad, coach Gautam Gambhir, and team management made time between Test matches to support the cause.
Rishabh Pant Steals the Show at the Auction
Among the highlights of the evening was Rishabh Pant’s enthusiastic participation in the auction. A fierce bidding war erupted as guests vied for exclusive experiences and memorabilia. Pant ended up shelling out £17,000 — outbidding deep-pocketed London patrons — for the chance to present an award to Jasprit Bumrah.
For perspective, event tables sold for as much as £12,450, offering access to cricket icons, champagne receptions, gourmet meals, and unlimited drinks. But Pant, true to his reputation for bold gambits, kept raising his paddle, much to the amusement of his teammates.
ALSO READ: EWC 2025: Valorant & Dota 2 Day 1 Highlights & Results
Spoof Awards and Dressing Room Banter
The gala wasn’t all formalities. A spoof award segment, judged by Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir, had everyone in splits. Pant won “Last to Board the Bus,” Kuldeep Yadav was awarded for always blaming “bad times,” and Jadeja earned the title of “Most Persistent DRS Requester.”
Shubman added a gem about Mohammed Siraj: “He thinks every ball hitting the pad is out. And then in the replay it’s this far from the stumps,” he said, spreading his hand apart as the room roared with laughter.
Yuvraj Pulls Gambhir’s Leg — and Then Praises Him
Yuvraj Singh, known for his on-field flair and off-field wit, took the opportunity to tease his serious former teammate. “There needs to be a bid on making Gambhir smile,” he joked, as the two shared a warm chuckle.
But the tone turned sincere soon after. “I’d like to say the decisions taken by Gambhir and Ajit (Agarkar) have played a big role in the team doing well,” Yuvraj added, acknowledging the selectors’ impact on India’s recent success.
Tendulkar’s Emotional 2011 World Cup Memory
Sachin Tendulkar, ever the storyteller, struck a heartfelt chord with a tale from the 2011 World Cup. “Before our first game against Bangladesh, I took Yuvraj out for dinner. He didn’t seem like himself. Low energy. That night, he told me, ‘I’ll win the World Cup for you.’ And he did.”
The crowd, silent in reverence, applauded not just the story — but the grit and emotion behind it.
Pietersen, Friendship Beyond Rivalry
Kevin Pietersen recalled their on-field duels, laughing about Yuvraj’s old taunt: “He used to call me a pie-chucker.” But the Englishman’s tone softened as he recalled visiting Yuvraj during his recovery. “He’s a beautiful human being. That’s why I’m here.”
Shubman’s Fanboy Moment at Mohali
Even India’s current captain couldn’t resist sharing his earliest Yuvraj memory — sneaking into the Mohali stadium. “We used to jump the wall to watch Yuvraj train. One day, after practice, we asked for a picture. He said, ‘Kabhi photo chahiye, kabhi helmet, kabhi pad, kabhi bat…’” Shubman laughed, and Yuvraj jokingly zipped his lips to keep from laughing too hard.
Kohli Cracks a Beard Joke and Reflects on Yuvraj-Dhoni Magic
Virat Kohli arrived late, as the Indian team had already left, but lit up the room with his easy charm. “I just dyed my beard two days back. When you start doing that every four days… it’s time,” he quipped, stroking his chin.
He then turned nostalgic, remembering an ODI in Cuttack where Yuvraj and MS Dhoni stitched a rescue act. “I was sitting with KL Rahul. I told him this is like watching our childhood heroes save India again.”
A Mentor to Many, A Fighter to All
The night was a celebration of legacy, laughter, and love — for a man who inspired through his cricket, and more through his comeback. The hero of 2011, the cancer warrior, the mentor of today’s stars — Yuvraj Singh stood tall as the bridge between generations.
As Shubman Gill now leads India into a new era, it was clear who lit the path for him and countless others.
