Yuvraj and I will be fit for semi-final - Dhoni

[DesiChap]

Yuvraj and I will be fit for semi-final - Dhoni S Rajesh in Durban September 20, 2007 Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh hope to be fit for the semi-final clash against Australia © Getty Images Mahendra Singh Dhoni was confident that both he and Yuvraj Singh would recover from their niggles and be fit for their semi-final against Australia on Saturday. Yuvraj missed the match against South Africa due to tendonitis in his left elbow, while Dhoni handed over the wicketkeeping gloves to Dinesh Karthik after hurting his back while batting, but both injuries, he said, were minor ones. "I'm still smiling so I'll hopefully play the next match," Dhoni said after the match. "It was just a strain in the lower back, on the right hand side. I had the luxury of having Dinesh Karthik in the side, who is a specialist keeper. I didn't want to aggravate the injury. I think hopefully it will be fine before the next match." He was optimistic about Yuvraj as well. "Yuvi has a bit of a problem with his forearm. Hopefully he should be ready for the next match as well." Dhoni also said the decision to leave Yuvraj out of the side was taken just a few minutes before the match. "It was decided at the last moment. We wanted to assess his condition and see what exactly the situation was. We wanted to save him [for the rest of the season] - there is no point playing someone who is not fit just for the sake of the team, because throughout the year we play cricket. After this we play against Australia, Pakistan and then tour Australia. So I think the decision to rest him was a good one." Dhoni admitted that despite the short duration of the game, the 20-over format was very tiring. "It's a very demanding form of game. It [An innings] lasts only an hour and 20 min but the intensity is more than an ODI or even a Test. A bowler only bowls four overs in this but he has to be alert in the field. You have to put in more than 100%. It's a very exhausting and tiring, and takes a heavy toll on the body." India and South Africa played back-to-back matches on Wednesday and Thursday, but the Indians have a break on Friday before the semi-finals. S Rajesh is stats editor of Cricinfo © Cricinfo http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/twenty20wc/content/current/story/311898.html

[ludhianvi]

Good to see Yuvi back in the team.

[fineleg]

Keep your fingers crossed. Sometime these niggles are irritating during "day of the match". I hope both can play.

[Predator_05]

Thank goodness. *Breathes huge sigh of relief*

[Yuvraj4Captaincy]

The title is misleading because dhoni said HOPEFULLY yuvi will play if he is fit. Not a sure shot YES..