Chennai, March 20: Three consecutive Man-of-the-Match awards at the World Cup is an achievement many would be envious of. Making a grand comeback on the biggest stage of all, Yuvraj Singh grabbed the latest award for a superb all-round performance at the Chepauk against the West Indies.
Speaking to the media after clinching the quarter-final berth against Australia, Yuvraj Singh was understandably light-hearted. Excerpts.
On what went through his mind during the middle overs
Well, it’s a funny game and it can change any time and at one time we thought that we needed to take wickets to win this game. Then Zak [Zaheer Khan] took a wicket and Bhajji [Harbhajan Singh] got [Kieron] Pollard out, so that’s where the game changed because the wicket was very good for batting. It’s important to take wickets because if you don’t take wickets, 270 can be chased. You just have to believe in yourself, believe in your bowlers, [believe] that somebody will come and take a wicket and Zak [Zaheer Khan] started it. Bhajji got a wicket, [Ravichandran] Ashwin got a wicket, I got a wicket. Everybody has to contribute if the team is to win
On the top class batting line-up folding early again and the fear of that happening against Australia
It doesn’t matter boss, we won the game - it will be an issue if we don’t win the game. But we won the game so we are happy about it and getting ready for the quarterfinals.
On feeling unwell during his innings
Actually I wasn’t dehydrated, I had stomach cramps. I had this issue since morning. A couple of guys have been having these stomach issues – it’s a stomach bug. I wanted to bat till the end and somehow managed that.
On the team’s assessment of Australia who they meet in the quarterfinals
Well, they’ve won five games and I think the teams are equal at the moment – it’s just [about] who is going to play better on the particular day. Australia have been [a] top side - they have won three World Cups. But since the likes of [Glenn] McGrath, [Adam] Gilchrist, [Shane] Warne, [Matthew] Hayden are not there, you can [make inroads into] the middle order and [Ricky] Ponting’s not in great form. So if we focus on our plans and [play on] their weaknesses, I am sure we can win the quarterfinal.
On Sachin Tendulkar walking despite the umpire’s decision
[We were] not surprised. He felt that he needed to walk so he walked - what can I say? It is a very personal decision so it should be left to the person who has done that.
On whether the team were focused on the quarterfinals even while playing West Indies
No, I don’t think we were very focused on the game. We wanted to beat West Indies today. Everybody was charged up for it and you need to focus on the particular day rather than think [about] what [lies] ahead. Now, the next three days, is the time to focus next on the quarter finals.
On whether the dog running through the ground was a good omen that must be sought in the quarterfinal
Maybe, you know, if that works for us then definitely you can have one [in Ahmedabad].
On whether he was anxious getting to his century after a two-year gap
I was actually. I wanted to get to the hundred mark - this was the opportunity batting at four. If you bat at five, you don’t get many balls to hit and I just wanted to bat till the end today. I [decided] that I am not going to hit the ball in the air, [I’m] going to hit everything down the ground. So I just wanted to get to the hundred mark since it’s been a while.
On coming good with the bat and ball in the CWC
Definitely, it’s a big moment, for us Indians, for me, for Hindustan. It’s important that I am peaking at the right time and I’m very happy about it. I look forward to continuing this form in the quarterfinals.
On winning back-to-back Man-of-the-Match awards after a tough couple of years
I worked very hard in those times, those [were] tough times for me and as they say, tough people stand out, tough times don’t. That was my motto [when] I was going through that injury period or [period of] bad form and yeah, the results are coming out now.
On whether he felt his poor performances were a result of injury or bad form
Both.
On Australia’s three-pronged pace attack and India’s problem against the short ball
I don’t think there is an issue with the short ball because if you have an issue with the short ball, you won’t be the No. 1 Test team and No. 2 ODI team. So I guess these are all speculations just made to criticise. We know that they have pace and they can, they do get wickets on their pace and we’re going to be prepared for it. We’ll see what happens in the quarterfinals, I guess.
On whether playing in front of the home crowd at Ahmedabad will be helpful
Definitely, the crowd helps when things are not going [your way]. People start clapping, cheering you up and the thing is you are playing the World Cup quarterfinals for your country and nothing can put you [down]. It’s just that you have to give your hundred percent every time, whether you are batting or bowling. It’s the moment you live for as a cricketer. So definitely the crowd is going to help us but it is important that our plans fall in place and we win the game.
On whether it is better to play Australia in the quarterfinals than in the later stages
Boss, if you are thinking of winning the World Cup, it doesn’t matter who you play. If you’re going to win the World Cup, you have to beat the best sides. Australia and Sri Lanka - they are top sides. If you need to get to the final, you need to beat them, as simple as that.
On whether he was feeling different as a player after his good run at the World Cup
No. I have been working on my game and since the first game I have been hitting the ball well so I’m just happy with that.
On Team India’s practice sessions that have been the cause of much debate
See, the debate has been started by you all. According to you our practice sessions are not right. We need to manage our bodies, we need to manage our practice sessions. What we think is right according to us, we have to do that. Speculation is there that the Indian team is not practicing but we have to decide how much practice we need, because we know what is going to happen if we don’t win. So it doesn’t matter. But according to me there is nothing to speculate on.
