Yuvraj Singh's tribute to Ben Stokes: 'The game will miss you'
Synopsis
Yuvraj Singh's farewell post for Ben Stokes wasn't just a pleasantry — it was one survivor saluting another. Drawing on his own battles with adversity, Yuvraj framed Stokes' greatness not around the two World Cup medals or the Headingley 135, but around the repeated ability to get back up. That framing, from someone who knows what rock bottom looks like, gave the tribute unusual weight.
Key Takeaways
Yuvraj Singh posted a tribute to Ben Stokes on X on 30 June following Stokes' retirement from international cricket.
Stokes retired after the third Test against New Zealand , ending a 15-year international career.
Yuvraj highlighted Stokes' 135 not out at Headingley , the 2019 World Cup final innings , and his openness about mental health as defining moments.
Stokes won two ICC World Cup titles — the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup — and captained England's Test side.
Yuvraj drew a personal parallel, noting he understood 'what it feels like to be on top of the world one day and at your absolute lowest the next.'
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh posted a heartfelt farewell message for Ben Stokes on X (formerly Twitter) on 30 June, honouring the England star's retirement from international cricket following the conclusion of the third Test against New Zealand. Yuvraj's tribute centred not on statistics but on Stokes' extraordinary capacity to rise from personal and professional lows — a quality he said separated the truly great from the merely successful.
Defining Moments Yuvraj Recalled
Yuvraj opened his tribute by cataloguing the innings and episodes that, in his view, cemented Stokes' legacy among cricket's modern greats. 'A World Cup final innings that nobody who watched it will ever forget. A 135 not out at Headingley that rewrote what was possible. The courage to speak openly about mental health when most wouldn't. Losing his father. And coming back every single time,' Yuvraj wrote.
The reference to Headingley 2019 — where Stokes' unbeaten 135 chased down an improbable target to keep the Ashes alive — and the 2019 Cricket World Cup final at Lord's underscored the defining scale of Stokes' contributions to England cricket.
A Personal Connection: Resilience Over Records
Yuvraj, himself a celebrated survivor of adversity — including a battle with cancer during his playing career — drew a direct parallel between his own journey and Stokes'. 'I know what it feels like to be on top of the world one day and at your absolute lowest the next and I saw that same journey in you,' he wrote.
He was unambiguous about what he believed truly defines greatness: 'That is what separates the good from the truly great. Not the records. Not the trophies. The ability to get back up.' The message resonated widely, given Yuvraj's own well-documented battles with form, injury, and illness across his international career.
A 15-Year Career Acknowledged
Yuvraj also took stock of the milestones that marked Stokes' 15-year international career, writing: '15 years. Two World Cup winners medals. A captain who made his team believe anything was possible. One of the finest that the game will always remember.'
Stokes retires having claimed two ICC World Cup titles — the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup — alongside celebrated Ashes performances and a transformative stint as England's Test captain, during which he and coach Brendon McCullum introduced the aggressive 'Bazball' style of play that revitalised England's Test cricket.
Yuvraj's Farewell Message
Yuvraj concluded his tribute on an affectionate note: 'Congratulations on an epic career! The game will miss you, Ben. Enjoy the next chapter. You've earned it!'
The post drew widespread attention from the cricket community, reflecting the cross-border respect Stokes commanded throughout his career. With his international chapter now closed, Stokes is expected to continue playing for Durham in domestic cricket.
Point of View
And Yuvraj's post stands out precisely because it bypasses the usual medal-counting. By anchoring Stokes' greatness in resilience rather than silverware, Yuvraj implicitly challenges how cricket measures legacy — a timely question as the sport increasingly reckons with athlete mental health. Stokes' willingness to speak publicly about his own struggles was, arguably, as influential as the Headingley 135. That a peer of Yuvraj's stature chose to lead with that, rather than the trophies, is the real story in this tribute.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ben Stokes retire from international cricket?
Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket after the conclusion of the third Test against New Zealand, bringing down the curtain on a 15-year career. No specific reason beyond the natural conclusion of his international chapter has been officially stated.
What did Yuvraj Singh say about Ben Stokes?
Yuvraj Singh praised Stokes on X as 'one of the finest that the game will always remember,' highlighting his 2019 World Cup final innings, the Headingley 135, his openness about mental health, and his repeated ability to recover from adversity. He concluded: 'The game will miss you, Ben. Enjoy the next chapter. You've earned it!'
How many World Cup titles did Ben Stokes win?
Ben Stokes won two ICC World Cup titles — the 2019 ODI World Cup, where his match-defining innings at Lord's was central to England's victory, and the 2022 T20 World Cup. He also captained England's Test side during their celebrated 'Bazball' era.
Why did Yuvraj Singh's tribute resonate particularly strongly?
Yuvraj Singh himself overcame significant personal adversity during his career, including a well-publicised battle with cancer. His tribute drew a direct parallel between his own experiences and Stokes', lending the message a personal credibility that went beyond a standard farewell from a fellow cricketer.
Will Ben Stokes continue playing cricket after his international retirement?
While Stokes has retired from international cricket, he is expected to continue playing domestic cricket for Durham. His retirement marks the end of his England commitments, not necessarily his playing career altogether.
