India’s maverick all-rounder Yuvraj Singh struck form with an explosive 60-run knock, that came off 43 deliveries against Australia in a Group 2 clash of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament at Mirpur on Sunday, which India won by 73 runs. Although India have booked their semifinal spot in the tournament, Yuvraj’s form had been under the scanner as he had amassed just 11 runs from three matches before.
Yuvraj’s knock came as a relief to countless Indian cricket fans, who were happy to see him hit Australia leg-spinner James Muirhead for back-to-back sixes in vintage style. His innings was laced with five boundaries and four sixes, all of which sent delight into the Indian camp.
“I do not really concentrate on what’s going outside. I have four Man of the Match awards in the last six games. In the one day format, it wasn’t great but it has been good now in T20,” said Yuvraj when asked what he had to say about criticism from some former Indian cricketers and fans.
Yuvraj got his eighth T20I fifty too in great style with a huge six off Shane Watson’s full toss delivery, which was sent straight over mid-wicket.
When asked about conditions at Mirpur, Yuvraj replied by saying that the tracks were becoming more conducive to spinners as the tournament progressed. “The ball was spinning. The wicket has been slow. I am working hard on the bowling as well,” said Yuvraj.
“We all know what kind of a player Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh) is. I think this format ideally suits him. He decided to give himself time to play himself in. In the middle overs he wasn’t able to rotate strike but in the end overs we knew the firepower that we had,” said Dhoni during the presentation ceremony.
“Yuvraj getting back into form was really good. We all know what kind of a player Yuvi is. I think this format ideally suits it (getting back into form). He decided to give himself time to play himself in. In the middle overs he wasn’t able to rotate but in the end overs we knew the firepower we had,” said Dhoni at the the post-match presentation ceremony.
Yuvraj was struggling in the first two matches of the tournament with scores of 1 and 10 against Pakistan and West Indies respectively. Dhoni said the decision to rest Shikhar Dhawan, who hasn’t been in great touch, helped the left-handed opener look back at his performances. Dhawan was replaced by Ajinkya Rahane in the playing XI.
“Rahane opens in difficult conditions. We have seen that in IPL, he is one the most consistent batsman. This (replacing Shikhar with Rahane) also gives Shikhar some free time to think about his game. So both players will benefit,” he said.
