IPL: Yuvraj Singh inspires Bangalore to win over Delhi

Sudhir Gupta 10:19 14/05/2014
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  • Cut above the rest: Yuvraj has scored 151 in the last two games for Royal Challengers Bangalor

    All of a sudden, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s investment of $2.33 million (Dh 8.5m) in Yuvraj Singh appears a prudent one. The dashing southpaw, who had just one fifty-plus score in seven games, has roared to life in the last two matches by smashing 151 runs in just 67 balls.

    In the first instance, his 83 off 38 balls had ended in despair as Bangalore lost by five wickets to Rajasthan. However, this time after cracking an unbeaten 68 off 29 balls, Royal Challengers held their nerve to carve out a 16-run victory against Delhi Daredevils.

    Coming out to bat at the 13th over with score on 94-3, Yuvraj struck sixes almost at will towards the end of the innings after a slow start by his side. This was his third fifty-plus knock in 10 matches in IPL7 as he signalled his return to his vintage form

    Yuvraj hit three sixes from successive balls off South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir to gather 21 runs from 17th over and then smashed a maximum in each of the next two overs bowled by Mohammed Shami and Siddarth Kaul.

    He reserved his best for the last as he hammered Rahul Shukla for 27 runs in the final over, belting four consecutive sixes.

    Yuvraj shared a 79-run partnership with Sachin Rana (15 not out) for the fifth wicket as Bangalore scored 79 runs in the last five overs to end their innings with a flourish.

    Chasing a stiff 187 for a win, Delhi were restricted to 170-7 to lose the match which started 70 minutes behind schedule due to light drizzle.

    With this win, Bangalore jumped to sixth spot with eight points from 10 matches while Delhi languish at the bottom with four points; their playoff hopes diminishing fast.

    “It was important we finished really well. I’ve started really well and just kept believing in myself and the seniors believed in me. I wanted to come to a place where I can be myself and play my game and thanks to Vijay Mallya (RCB owner) for bringing me over here," said Yuvraj. 

    Bangalore captain Virat Kohli and Delhi’s Kevin Pietersen too lauded Yuvraj for braving the odds. 

    “It’s very pleasing to see Yuvi bat like that, all those who doubted him should put those doubts to rest now," declared Kohli. 

    While Pietersen added: “I can tell you something for free. That man over there batted like an absolute superstar. He has proven a lot of people wrong.”

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