Can't think of all-time India XI without considering Yuvraj: Dravid

New Delhi [India], June 15 (ANI): Former India skipper Rahul Dravid has congratulated Yuvraj Singh on achieving the special milestone of 300 ODIs for the Men in Blue, saying the flamboyant batsman, who has had a phenomenal record over the last 17 years, would "make most people's all time one-day XI".

Yuvraj made his 300th ODI appearance against Bangladesh in the second semi-final of the ongoing Champions Trophy which is being held at the Edgbaston.

"He is obviously superstar of Indian cricket. You can't think of an all-time India 11 without considering Yuvraj Singh very seriously. He will make most people's all time one day 11, the performances he's had over the last 17 years," Dravid said during the ESPNcricinfo Match Day show on Thursday.

In 2000, Yuvraj, who was then 19, announced himself on the world stage with a magnificent 84 against Australia to give India a famous win.

India reached the finals in the second edition of the Champions Trophy but lost to New Zealand in Kenya.

The left-handed batsman had made his debut in the pre-quarterfinals against Kenya, but didn't get a chance to bat. However, in the next game against Australia, he took the world by storm with a Man-Of-The-Match performance.

His batting as well as fielding skills had been exceptional and India had knocked out the then world champions by 20 runs to reach the semis.

"Just going back to that game in 2000, when we played in the Champions Trophy when he first came in, it was incredible. We had seen a little bit of him in the under-19, we had played challenger trophy against him and we could see that he was an exciting talent," said Dravid.

"To just walk in against Brett Lee, and (Glenn) Mcgrath and Jason Gillespie and play the kind of innings that he did, was sensational," he added.

Dravid, who is better known as The Wall, insisted that the 35-year-old has gone from strength to strength in ODIs.

"He has had his ups and downs, physically, with the issues he has had with cancer and everything. But overall, I think his one day cricket has been sensational, to be the player of the tournament in matches India wins," said Dravid. (ANI)