Star batsman Yuvraj Singh today said that he has realised the dream of piloting India to a victory against defending champions Australia in the World Cup though it was very difficult to keep his emotions in check in the high-octane quarterfinal match here.
In pic: Yuvraj Singh lets out a victory cry © AFP
"Over the last one year I have been dreaming of staying till the end and taking the team to victory against Australia in the World Cup and the moment has come. This is the moment I have lived for as a cricketer," he said at the post-match press conference.
Yuvraj guided India to a sensational five-wicket victory over holders Australia with an unbeaten half century after claiming two wickets and he was adjudged man-of-the-match for the fourth time in the tournament. He admitted that it was a really tough situation with enormous pressure on him and any small mistake on his part could have thrown India out of the World Cup. "It was very hard to control emotions. It was difficult to control oneself in such a situation as one mistake and you will be out of the World Cup. I tried to just watch the ball, play down the ground and not lift the ball in the air," said the left-handed batsman.
Yuvraj said he was playing in the tournament with the thought of someone special in his life, though he did not specify the person. "I am playing for a very special person that comes in my mind and whenever things are not going well I think of that person and things work out," he remarked. He conceded that the dismissal of Gautam Gambhir, who was run out due to a misunderstanding with him, and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in quick succession had put the team under pressure but Suresh Raina lived up to the challenge and showed nerves in crucial stages. "When Gambhir got out I thought I will get a good partnership going with MS (Dhoni) but when MS got out I knew I was in trouble. When Raina came in I told him to take his time and let's get 20-30 run partnership. He has shown nerves in a crucial stage and this will boost his confidence also," he said.
He said he had already apologised to team-mate Gambhir for the mix-up that resulted in his partner getting run out today. "I have apologies to Gautam for the miscommunication on the field. We have not played together much. I think it was probably my fault," said Yuvraj. —PTI
In pic: Yuvraj Singh lets out a victory cry © AFP
"Over the last one year I have been dreaming of staying till the end and taking the team to victory against Australia in the World Cup and the moment has come. This is the moment I have lived for as a cricketer," he said at the post-match press conference.
Yuvraj guided India to a sensational five-wicket victory over holders Australia with an unbeaten half century after claiming two wickets and he was adjudged man-of-the-match for the fourth time in the tournament. He admitted that it was a really tough situation with enormous pressure on him and any small mistake on his part could have thrown India out of the World Cup. "It was very hard to control emotions. It was difficult to control oneself in such a situation as one mistake and you will be out of the World Cup. I tried to just watch the ball, play down the ground and not lift the ball in the air," said the left-handed batsman.
Yuvraj said he was playing in the tournament with the thought of someone special in his life, though he did not specify the person. "I am playing for a very special person that comes in my mind and whenever things are not going well I think of that person and things work out," he remarked. He conceded that the dismissal of Gautam Gambhir, who was run out due to a misunderstanding with him, and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in quick succession had put the team under pressure but Suresh Raina lived up to the challenge and showed nerves in crucial stages. "When Gambhir got out I thought I will get a good partnership going with MS (Dhoni) but when MS got out I knew I was in trouble. When Raina came in I told him to take his time and let's get 20-30 run partnership. He has shown nerves in a crucial stage and this will boost his confidence also," he said.
He said he had already apologised to team-mate Gambhir for the mix-up that resulted in his partner getting run out today. "I have apologies to Gautam for the miscommunication on the field. We have not played together much. I think it was probably my fault," said Yuvraj. —PTI
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