Yuvraj Singh after a moderate performance in the World Cup T20 finally rose to the occasion in the last match against Pakistan. In the crucial do-or-die match against their arch rivals, Yuvraj did what he does the best and played an important role in helping India win the match.
Against Pakistan, Yuvraj was phenomenal, be it in bowling, batting or fielding. People raised questions about his fitness and termed selectors’ decision to include him in the team as emotional. But he just waited for his turn to reply to everything.
He was good on his comeback match against New Zealand prior to the World Cup and played some exquisite shots in that innings. But it was not enough to win India the match.
Coming to the Emerald Isle, Yuvi had a good all-round performance against the minnows Afghanistan, but could not do much against England and Australia with the bat. Playing cricket for India is not easy especially under the scrutiny of emotional fans and critics round the clock. Critics got busy and the whispers started growing louder about his further involvement in the series.
No doubt that he was not up to the standards that he has set for himself in the past, but then one has to understand that the man is back into cricket after a nine months sabbatical and it is not so easy to get back into the groove from the word go.
On Sunday against Pakistan, Yuvi delivered a sucker punch to all who doubted that he was not yet prepared for a tournament of such high magnitude.
He was a livewire on the field, and if not at his very best as people might say, still accounted for a run out with a direct hit. He picked up two crucial wickets in the match to break important partnership and also stayed unbeaten with Virat Kohli to see India home.
He earned back his bragging rights and not only that he also played down all the speculations with a straight bat just like he does when he is on the field while batting.
Yuvraj now has six wickets from four matches and only thing that at present might be bothering him is that he does not have much run under his belt but it is a fact that Yuvraj has not got many opportunities as well. But then his performance against Pakistan is the sign that something big is waiting around the corner.
The all-important match against South Africa can well be the day for Yuvraj. The aggressive left-handed batsmen in last match did offer some glimpse of excellence and will definitely hold the key in today’s match.
The Proteas will be relying heavily on their pace battery to counter this burly Indian batting line-up and as it has been known that Yuvi has always been more comfortable to the bowling that comes on to the bat.
The World Cup 'player of the series' has carved a niche for himself in the team as an all-rounder and has always delivered whenever his team has wanted him to. And going into the match he will be much more confident especially after knowing that he now has the support of his captain.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni after the last match said that he does not have any doubts over the southpaw’s fitness as far as T20 is concerned and he cannot think of leaving Yuvraj out in the present setting.
It will do world of wonders to his confidence and he will be the man to watch for in the match. Because after everything that has been said and done, he will be itching to make a mark and squash the cynicism that has been doing the rounds since he donned the Indian colours.
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By Samikshan Dutta Choudhary
Indian Sports News Network