The Hindu : Sport : Yuvraj stars again for lndia

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Sunday, Sep 23, 2007
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Sport

Yuvraj stars again for lndia

Nandita Sridhar

Uthappa, Dhoni play supporting roles to perfection

— Photo: AP

TIMBER: Adam Gilchrist was beaten all ends up by S. Sreesanth during the World Twenty20 semifinals.

Durban: After a sedentary first few overs, the Indian batsmen optimised every scoring opportunity offered by the Australians, in the Twenty20 World Championship semifinals, on Saturday. Yuvraj Singh’s blows upped the run-rate for India. He announced his arrival with a stunning pull-shot that went for maximum.

With the quickest movement of the bat, the short balls on offer were smothered and delivered to the stands. His five sixes were executed with power, poise and an almost unnoticeable touch. The only blemishes were the two dropped chances (Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke, both off Stuart Clarke). Robin Uthappa mirrored his partner perfectly, attacking with intent and striking with extraordinary force.

Andrew Symonds’ bowling was given little respect, and he went for 19 runs in the 11th over. His fielding was responsible for Uthappa’s dismissal, after a direct hit uprooted the middle stump, with Uthappa just short of the opposite crease.

Captain M.S. Dhoni walked in with the run-rate on the rise. The manufactured shots that just didn’t materialise earlier were on full force, specially the mid-air scoop that he used to deal with the yorker-length deliveries from Brett Lee and the 360 degree twirl boundary through fine-leg. He struck some massive blows that left the bat with too much altitude, but somehow reached the crowds.

Yuvraj, who had pulled impeccably throughout, undercooked the harmless one from Michael Clarke and found Michael Hussey at mid-wicket.

Dhoni continued spanking the ball around, but mistimed his run in the penultimate ball of the innings.

The Indian captain chose to bat, but was let down by the openers. Virender Sehwag pulled a thigh muscle in the first over and called for a runner after that. Rohit Sharma did the running. Gautam Gambhir scored India’s first runs with a quick-fire slash over backward point. Brett Lee wasted no time in intimidating Gambhir, but the opener looked composed.

Virender Sehwag’s still-footedness elevates his shots to exotica when he perfectly connects, but his dismissals are awkward. Saturday was no different. Just after striking a casual boundary, he flirted with a wide one from Johnson outside off which Australia captain Adam Gilchrist safely pouched.

Gautam Gambhir did what he’s done throughout the tournament, starting with purpose, but falling while trying too much too soon.

SCOREBOARD

India: G. Gambhir c Hodge b Johnson 24, V. Sehwag c Gilchrist b Johnson 9, R. Uthappa (run out) 34, Yuvraj c Hussey b Clarke 70, M.S. Dhoni (run out) 36, R. Sharma (not out) 8, I. Pathan (not out) 0, Extras (lb-6, w-1): 7; Total (five wkts., 20 overs): 188.

Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-41, 3-125, 4-155, 5-184.

Australia bowling: Lee 4-0-25-0, Bracken 4-0-38-0, Clark 4-0-38-0, Johnson 4-0-31-2, Symonds 3-0-37-0, Clarke 1-0-13-1.

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