Sir — It is not surprising that the ace cricketer and one of the biggest drivers of India’s World Cup win in 2011, Yuvraj Singh, has decided to quit international cricket for good. After his heroics during that tournament with both the ball and the bat, his performance has been on the wane. Some of it can be attributed to the fact that he suffered a life-threatening disease. But his will power and determination to return to active cricket after beating cancer must be lauded.

His decision to retire is a wise one. Yuvraj, along with Mohammad Kaif and Reetinder Singh Sodhi, were the architects of India’s victory at the under-19 World Cup played in Sri Lanka in 2000. It is ironic that neither Yuvraj nor Kaif — both of whom played vital innings at the historic Natwest Trophy tournament that India won — could make a permanent mark in Test cricket for India. Having said that, no one can forget Yuvraj being on fire on the field during his debut innings against the mighty Australians in the Champions Trophy in 2000. Nor can we forget the time he hit Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over during the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007. His performance in 2011 is one of the main reasons India won that World Cup. One hopes that he tastes success in his future ventures after retirement.

N. Mahadevan

Chennai

Sir — After Yuvraj Singh’s retirement, it can be said with certainty that the era of Indian men’s cricket from the 1990s and 2000s, so beloved by cricket fans who watched the game at that time, is officially over. Yuvraj’s six consecutive sixes against Stuart Broad are now the stuff of legend. So is his brilliant all-round performance in the World Cup in 2011. Easily one of the most loved players in the history of Indian cricket, Yuvraj must be thanked for the years of cricketing excellence and memories he gave his fans.

Tushar Anand

Patna

Sir — Yuvraj Singh is one of the greatest match-winners in the history of cricket. He suffered an aggressive form of cancer, defeated it and returned to the game, winning the respect of millions. He first played for India in 2000 in a one-day international match against Kenya in Nairobi, although his debut innings was against Australia. After that, he became a regular member of the squad. Watching him on the field was always an absolute pleasure; who can forget his tremendous, match-winning innings against England in the Natwest Trophy final in 2002? Had he not scored successive half-centuries, India would not have reached the final of the World Cup in 2011. He performed like a champion almost every time that the team needed him. One is curious to see what his next ‘innings’ in life will involve.

Munshi Monirul Hasan

East Burdwan

Sir — It was heartwarming to hear Yuvraj Singh, who has just retired from international cricket, hail Sourav Ganguly as one of the two best captains he has played under. Ganguly, under whom Yuvraj began his international career, supported the latter’s rise in the team and the game. With Yuvraj’s retirement, one of the most memorable periods of Indian men’s cricket, with all its warts and glories, has come to an end. Yuvraj was more than just a match-winner; he was a loyal team player and an entertainer. He made Indian fans consistently proud.

Sania Sadiq

Calcutta

Kind heart

Sir — It was heartwarming to read that a police officer rescued a barn owl that had been hurt (“Cop rescues injured owl from road”, June 10). It showed that the police are often a lot more sympathetic towards the plight of animals and birds than ordinary civilians. The injured bird was lying on the road, surrounded by hostile dogs and curious onlookers who did nothing to help it. Had the police officer not arrived at the spot on time and acted promptly, the bird could have been killed. He must be lauded for his kindness. Not only are owls considered auspicious in many households, the barn owl is also an endangered species. It must always be protected from harm.

Sanjit Ghatak

Narendrapur