YUVRAJ FACTFILE Born: 12/12/81 India debut: 03/10/00 (ODI v Kenya) ODIs: 73 Average: 31.01 Highest score: 102 not out Previous teams: Punjab Feature: The rise of Yuvraj

Yorkshire have signed Indian batting star Yuvraj Singh for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old's arrival was announced on the same day it was revealed that Matthew Elliott is to fly home to Australia to receive treatment on his knee injury.

Former Test opener Elliott, whose contract is unaffected, is to be allowed the time he needs to rid himself of the injury - and also to spend time with his brother-in-law who is terminally ill.

Yuvraj is only the second Indian to play for Yorkshire after Sachin Tendulkar became their first overseas player in 1992.

"Sachin told me that I would enjoy it at Yorkshire and that I should take the opportunity with both hands," Yuvraj told BBC Radio Five Live.

"I think everybody should have the experience of playing county cricket."

Yorkshire, who have been undergoing financial problems, had hoped to sign just one overseas player for 2003.

But Elliot's injury, plus the absence of England all-rounder Craig White following rib surgery, has forced their hand.

Yuvraj is arising as our number one - which brings extra pressure. We need to be aware of that Yorkshire director of cricket Geoff Cope

Yorkshire chief Colin Graves explained: "Elliott came across carrying an injury. He has never trained or been able to practise since he arrived.

"We have kept talking to him since he has been here. But on Tuesday morning he came in and said the problem had got worst in the last 24 hours.

"We decided it was best for him to return to Australia and to get the problem identified and put right."

Director of cricket Geoff Cope added: "Everything has been totally amicable and we every sympathy with him."

Announcing the signing of Yuvraj, Cope said: "This was originally an insurance policy as a second overseas player to cope with the England calls we expect this summer.

"Now Yuvraj is arising as our number one - which brings extra pressure. We need to be aware of that."

Yorkshire hope Yuvraj will make his debut on 18 May in the National League match against Leicestershire, for whom Yuvraj's compatriot Virender Sewag is overseas player.

The left-hander was part of India's World Cup squad, which reached the final of the tournament before falling to Australia.

He is yet to appear in a Test match and is hoping that playing in the Championship can help his cause.

"Obviously playing county cricket will help if I can do well in the four-day game," he said.