SachDan Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 Bring on Australia, says Yuvraj By Dileep Premchandran On Thursday night, either the world champions or the pre-tournament favourites will be heading home. India's 80-run victory in the World Cup over the West Indies set up the most tantalising of the quarter-finals, a repeat of the 2003 final that Australia won by a whopping 125 runs. Had they lost, India would have played Sri Lanka instead, but Yuvraj Singh, man of the match after another superb all-round display (113 and two for 18) insisted that it made no difference who the co-hosts were up against. "These are the moments you live for as a cricketer," he said. "To win, we need to beat the best sides." Yuvraj's place in the side was questioned in the lead-up to the tournament, but it was his 122-run partnership with Virat Kohli that set this game up for India in the absence of Virender Sehwag - missing with knee trouble - and after the early loss of Sachin Tendulkar. He was reprieved twice, on nine and 13, both times by Darren Sammy, and he admitted that a first century in two years had come as a relief. "I was nervous. At No 5, you don't get to hit many balls," he said. "So today was an opportunity [at No 4]. It's been a while." Despite suffering from stomach cramps, Yuvraj played some gorgeous strokes, through the off side and over midwicket, as India recovered from early blows dealt by Ravi Rampaul, playing only because Kemar Roach was down with fever. Rampaul bowled at 140kmph for the most part and got both Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir with deliveries that bounced appreciably. Steve Davis, the umpire, initially gave Tendulkar not out, but Rampaul was soon running towards point in celebration as the batsman turned on his heel and walked to the pavilion. Sammy accepted that Rampaul's performance was one of the few things to take away from yet another defeat. "He has been on the bench, but he's come in and grabbed his opportunity with both hands. That's what you want from your team set-up." Rampaul aside, this was another story of missed opportunities. At 154 for two after 30 overs, the West Indies were cruising. Then Zaheer Khan slipped a slower ball past Devon Smith's defence. Before you knew it, they had lost eight for 34 and the game with it. Having lost four for three from a winning position against England, this was another chastening experience for a side that has not beaten top opposition since June 2009. "It's a good thing it didn't happen in the knockout stage," said Sammy. "If it had, we would be going home. It is worrying for us, but I back the calibre of players that we have." Smith top-scored with a fine 81, but there was no Chris Gayle alongside him at the top of the order. The West Indies, however, are confident that he will have recovered from his abdominal strain in time for Wednesday's quarter-final against Pakistan. "Their captain has been performing, and some of the others too," Sammy said when asked about Pakistan. "Hopefully, they'll have their bad match against us, and we'll bring our A game." India gave a World Cup debut to R Ashwin, and he repaid the faith with a fine spell of two for 41. A carrom ball got rid of Kirk Edwards, and he bowled eight overs in succession through the first two power plays. The game-breaker, though, was Zaheer, whose mastery with the old ball evokes memories of Wasim Akram. "Zak took that wicket, and then Bhajji [Harbhajan Singh] got Pollard, and the game changed," Yuvraj said. "On these type of pitches, you just have to keep believing, in yourself and your team." India last beat Australia in a World Cup game in 1987, but Yuvraj was confident that he and his teammates could change that dismal statistic. "They've won three World Cups, but the likes of [Glenn] McGrath, [shane] Warne, [Adam] Gilchrist and [Matthew] Hayden are no longer there. "[Ricky] Ponting's not in great form. If we get into their middle order, I think we can win." :cheer::cheer:
punjabi_khota Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 WI has not beaten any test team barring BD since June 2009 in the ODIs :WTF: Lost 18 out of 21 games and rest 3 were No result.
Karan114 Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 ^ Yep. In fact, since January 2008, they've won just 6 and lost 39 against top 7 opposition...perfect opponent to have in a World Cup quarter final :banghead:
mastana Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 WI has not beaten any test team barring BD since June 2009 in the ODIs :WTF: Lost 18 out of 21 games and rest 3 were No result. Don't worry they will beat Pakistan in the QF. :dontknow:
kabira Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 WI has not beaten any test team barring BD since June 2009 in the ODIs :WTF: Lost 18 out of 21 games and rest 3 were No result. Many of them were played by Windies B team when most of their top players were on strike
Karan114 Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 Many of them were played by Windies B team when most of their top players were on strike Iirc, that was only three games in the Champions Trophy (three others against BD but those aren't part of this stat, obviously)
Ranjha Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 In 6 league games, he got 3 50s, 1 100, 9 wickets and 3 MOM's. Impressive or not, YUVI HATERS?
Pak_Forever Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 No doubt, in India this guy is very dangerous. Never thought he would perform this well so far. He has saved his team from potential defeats few times already. For India in WC, he's seems to be the most vital player.
Midfielder Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 He is one of the several players who are clicking. Mark my words, India with little bit better fielding is going to win it all.
Ultimate_Game Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 :two_thumbs_up: That's the spirit Yuvi... hope to see you guys in Mohali after the face-off with Aussies
Misu243 Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 Australia better get ready to play some dandia at Ahmedabad...:two_thumbs_up:
Aaku Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaant wait to watch yuviiiiiiiiiiiiii against the aussiesssssssssssssssssssss :yess: :yay:
gaurav92 Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 hey! thats my line! :hitler: No Probs bava, lets join 'em :yayo: HAIL THE YUVINESS!
RedFlow Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 Good to see him getting runs and wickets against minnows. :)
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