Bengaluru, March 6: Yuvraj Singh put in a superlative performance with both bat and ball to lead India to a five-wicket win against Ireland in their Group B 2011 ICC World Cup encounter here in Bengaluru. Yuvraj took five wickets as India first restricted their opponents to a modest score of 207 and then scored an unbeaten 50 to lead India’s triumphant run chase.
Chasing a target of 208, India lost Virender Sehwag (5) and Gautam Gambhir (10) early. Both batsmen fell to Irish pacer Trent Johnston. Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli put the Indian chase back on track with a 53-run partnership before Sachin (38) fell lbw to the left-arm spin of George Dockrell. 21 deliveries later Virat Kohli was run out to leave India stumbling at 100 for the loss of four wickets in 23.4 overs.
But Yuvraj Singh, like his bowling effort earlier in the day, took the hosts to safety. The southpaw first struck a handy 67-run partnership with MS Dhoni (34) and then enjoyed Yusuf Pathan’s fireworks (30* off 24 balls, 2x4, 3x6) at the end as India won by five wickets and with four overs to spare. Yuvraj remained unbeaten on 50.
Earlier, MS Dhoni won the toss and opted to bowl first. Zaheer Khan gave India the early advantage, picking up the wickets of Paul Stirling (0) and Ed Joyce (4) in his first two overs of the match. Ireland went through a phase of rebuilding as William Porterfield and Niall O’Brien put on a 113-run partnership for the third wicket. India, though, did not give away too many runs in this period with Ireland reaching the 100-run mark only in the 23rd over.
But just as the two Irish batsmen looked to have set the foundation for a big total, O’Brien (46) was run out by a brilliant piece of team work between Virat Kohli, fielding at cover, and wicketkeeper Dhoni. Thereafter, Yuvraj bowled a devastating spell, taking five wickets to derail the Irish innings. Even Ireland’s hero from the game against England, Kevin O’Brien (9), could not do much, the batsman offering a soft caught and bowled dismissal to Yuvraj. Porterfield, who brought up his half-century, was another of Yuvraj’s victims, the Irish captain falling for 75.
From a healthy 122 for two in 26.4 overs, Ireland collapsed to 184 for the loss of eight wickets in 43.4 overs.
Zaheer Khan took his third wicket of the match when tail-ender George Dockrell (3) edged a delivery to MS Dhoni. Ireland were eventually bowled out for 207 as Munaf Patel trapped Trent Johnston (17) lbw in the 48th over of the innings.
Yuvraj’s bowling figures of 10-0-31-5 are his best in ODI cricket.
India’s win against the Irish puts them at the top of Group B with five points. Ireland, meanwhile, with two points from three games, are in fifth position in the same Group.
Brief Scores: India 210 for five in 46 overs (Yuvraj Singh 50*, Sachin Tendulkar 38, Trent Johnston, George Dockrell)beat Ireland 207 all out in 47.5 overs (William Porterfield 75, Niall O’Brien 46, Yuvraj Singh 5/31, Zaheer Khan 3/30) by five wickets
Man-of-the-match: Yuvraj Singh for his all round performance which included a five-wicket haul and a half-century.
