The return of the Prince

Today, I think all of India finally saw the rebirth of Yuvraj Singh! Yes, he scored a hundred against the West Indies, and guided India home in tricky situations against Ireland and Netherlands, but the innings he played today was special. He held it together when the team was under the pump. He had been involved in a few terrible mix ups with Gautam Gambhir (one of which finally resulted in his run out), and just as he was getting a partnership going with Mahendra Singh Dhoni, he saw the latter fall.

India needed 89 runs in 15 overs, and in walked Suresh Raina. His inclusion in the side must have been highly debated, after all Yusuf Pathan does bring in the option of another off spinner, but I think Raina’s ability in the field and the fact that he has a slightly more rational head on his shoulders (PLUS the fact that he plays with Dhoni for CSK) was what played in his favour—and boy did he come to the party! 34 vital runs at an extremely brisk pace, when the hopes of the country were resting on his shoulders—that’s a quality of a champion! Not to forget the role of Yuvraj. He guided Raina through an initially tough period, after which both left handers let loose. Shaun Tait helped the Indian cause with a few wayward deliveries. In the span of 3 overs (40 to 42), the match had turned in favour of the home side. The crowd that had been stunned into silence just a few minutes before, was on its feet again, cheering every run that was scored.

Ricky Ponting was found squatting on the ground with a puzzled expression on his face. Effectively he seemed to be playing with only 3 bowlers (Lee, Johnson and Watson) who could control the situation AND looked threatening. The ‘Wild Thing’ (Tait), who was a revelation in the previous edition of the World Cup, had let him down for the 7th consecutive time in the tournament (despite getting the wicket of Tendulkar); Kezja bowled way too short in his first spell on a wicket that seemed to suit the spinners. He bowled better when he came back towards the end of the game, but by then Australia was merely going through the motions.

India has been criticized throughout this tournament for not using the batting power play effectively. Today, I think they couldn’t have used it better! The first ball of the batting power play was smashed over the long on boundary for 6—Suresh Raina again! They batted sensibly during, not only the power play, but throughout that period of play when the team was under pressure.

Yuvraj has found his touch again—the kind of form that he had against Pakistan in 2005-06, when he played the role of India’s ‘finisher’ along with MS Dhoni. He played his part perfectly in that series, and is doing an exceptional job in this tournament as well. He’s been India’s ‘go to’ man in all situations, with bat and ball—and he’s responded superbly to the added responsibility of filling the role as India’s 5th bowler (which is no more an area of concern; I honestly think the cause of concern is the fourth bowler)!

Kudos to both Yuvraj and Raina for guiding the Blue Brigade through to the semi-final, but it’s important that the Prince keeps his focus and plays with the same ‘purpose’ he has so far in this tournament.