Captain Dhoni defends struggling Yuvraj

Tuesday, 8 April 2014 00:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni sprang to team mate Yuvraj Singh’s defence after the left-hander’s struggle with the bat in the World Twenty20 final loss to Sri Lanka on Sunday. Struggling to hit or rotate strike, Yuvraj looked a shadow of the player who was the architect of India’s 20-over World Cup victory in 2007 and the 50 overs World Cup in 2011. The lefthander, who hit England’s Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over in the 2007 World Twenty20, used up 21 deliveries towards the end to score 11 runs, failing even to rotate strike and allow the set batsman and player-of-the-tournament Virat Kohli (77) to launch a late assault. India managed 19 runs in the last four overs despite having eight wickets in hand and Kohli faced just eight balls in the last four overs before running himself out as India settled for a below-par 130 for four. Dhoni conceded the last four overs probably cost India the trophy which would have completed a record limited overs treble for the 50-over World Cup and Champions Trophy holders. “The last four is the place where you really want to score as many runs as you can. That was an area we could not capitalise (on),” Dhoni said. He refused, however, to blame Yuvraj who, barring a half-century against Australia, had a poor tournament. “He was trying, the thing is he was trying and that’s the most you can do. “It happens to all, not just cricketers. Yuvi tried his best, it was an off day for him. It’s not easy for a batsman to go out and straight away start slogging.” Asked why he did not promote himself ahead of Yuvraj, Dhoni said: “We wanted a left-right combination to make it slightly difficult for the bowlers to execute their plans. That was the reason why we had Yuvi at number four.” The India captain preferred to credit the Sri Lankan bowlers for restricting his team. “We have to give credit to the Sri Lankan bowlers. They were looking for wide yorkers and all were perfect wide yorkers. “Other than one wide delivery, they were right on the mark which made it difficult for us to score freely.”

Don’t be so bitter about one bad day: Harbhajan on Yuvraj

TOI: NEW DELHI: Facing a barrage of criticism for his slow batting in the lost World Twenty20 final against Sri Lanka, Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh found support from his teammate and close friend Harbhajan Singh, who urged fans to not be bitter about just “one bad day”. “Shocking to c every1 blaming @yuvstrong12. Guys this man has won u 2wc’s. One of the rare match winners India has produced,” tweeted Harbhajan. Yuvraj has been criticised by the game’s observers and ridiculed by fans online for scoring just 11 runs off 21 balls, which led to India totalling a mere 130, a target that was overhauled in 17.5 overs by Sri Lanka in the final on Sunday. But Harbhajan called for some perspective while analysing the dashing left-hander, who has been a proven performer. “From 1st 19wc to natwest to 2007t20 to 2011wc. Find me a player who has done so much in big matches. 1 bad day n we become so bitter,” said the veteran off-spinner, who is currently out of favour. Meanwhile, India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his disappointment at India’s loss. “That was a tough pill to swallow, oucchhhh it hurts. Anyways well done to Mahela, sanga and the whole team,” said Ashwin, referring to Sri Lanka’s retired veterans Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. Praise trickled in for Sri Lankan players from others in the cricketing fraternity as well. “Congratulations Sri Lanka, well played tonight?? Bad luck to the Indian team, hold your heads high. Thanks for the hospitality Bangladesh??,” tweeted Australian spin legend Shane Warne. “Great way for @KumarSanga2 and @MahelaJay to finish in T20.....Quality players and great men.... #WT20Champions,” added former England captain Michael Vaughan.