Yuvraj Singh rules the English
November 17th 2008 19:31
Yuvraj Singh continues his domination of the one-day series against England by delivering a match-winning display with bat and ball to seal another emphatic victory for India. And it should be the tonic for him to make his way back into India's test side following Sourav Ganguly's retirement.
The talented left-hander scored his second century in as many matches to thrust India to a commanding 292 for nine despite a shaky start when they slipped to three for 29 after deciding to bat first at Nehru Park.
But Yuvraj also claimed a superb four for 28 with his part-time off-spin to help secure a 54-run victory by dismissing England for 238 after they lost their last seven wickets for 55 runs in 10 overs.
It was a stunning display from Yuvraj, who is now in pole position to reclaim his Test place as a replacement for the retired Ganguly, and comes just three days after his incredible unbeaten 138 in Rajkot to secure a thumping 158-run triumph in the first one-day international.
Indeed it’s about time that Yuvraj lived up to his billing as one of world Cricket's finest batsmen.
His form at the beginning of 2008 was a disaster, failing to consolidate his showing in the 20/20 world cup a year earlier.
Yuvraj was cast with massive expectations when he toured Australia in January, but cracked under the pressure of consistent bowling by Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson.
It seem that a man of his talents could not handle pressure and was merely in the side to consolidate a huge total, not make one himself.
But it seems now the times have changed for Yuvraj, with bat and ball.
Despite Yuvraj's amazing performance yesterday, England were on course to claim an unlikely victory until just 12 overs before the end.
Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff had just hit 59 runs off the five overs of the batting powerplay to leave England needing 110 to win off 13 overs.
Yuvraj though took centre stage and dismissed both within the space of four balls - ending a productive 74-run stand off 70 deliveries - and their departure signalled England's spiral towards another comprehensive defeat.
The return of Yuvraj finally signalled England's demise and leaves them facing a major battle to remain competitive in the series - particularly with the imminent return of key seamer Ishant Sharma and Sachin Tendulkar in the next few matches.
While those two will add much more flair and skill in the Indian one day line-up, Yuvraj is now providing the raw power needed to convince both India and the selectors that he is now a real match winner.
And with Ganguly's departure coming at just the right time, Yuvraj has what it takes to not only be a regular headline in Indian cricket, but world cricket as well.
Only this time, its all for the right reasons.
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