Saturday 15th November 2008
Yuvraj: I had nothing to prove
After helping India to a 158-run first ODI win against England in Rajkot on Friday, Yuvraj Singh says he had nothing to prove.
Chasing India's mammoth total of 387 for five after Yuvraj - who was omitted from India's team for the recently concluded Test series against Australia - hit a brilliant 138 off only 78 balls, England were dismissed for 229.
England narrowly avoided overhauling their heaviest ever defeat batting second in a one-day international, surpassing the 165-run losses against West Indies in St Vincent 14 years ago and Pakistan at Karachi in 2005.
England were already facing the prospect of having to mount their biggest ever successful run chase, smashing the 306 for five they scored against Pakistan at Karachi in 2000, and their highest second-innings total of 320 for eight against India in Bristol a year ago.
India's score was also their highest total in a one-day international against a Test-playing country and the most England have ever conceded, beating the 353 for six recorded by Pakistan at Karachi three years ago.
Despite his heroics, Yuvraj was the epitome of modesty after the mauling saying that his absence from the clashes with Australia was not a driving force behind his splendid innings.
"Yes, it was disappointing to miss out on the Test series against Australia but I was very happy with the Indian team's performance (2-0 series win)," he said.
"I did not go into the match today with the intention of proving anything to anyone other than myself. I wanted to prove to myself that I was good enough to play at this level," said the left-handed powerhouse after tearing into the England bowlers.
Yuvraj, who hit seven sixes and 15 fours in his 78-ball knock, admitted that he was nervous before the match but that the terrific start Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir gave India had helped ease the tension.
"I was a bit nervous as I had not scored many runs over the last few weeks. But the blazing start provided by Viru and Gambhir allowed me to play quietly in the beginning," the talented left-hander explained.
"The fact that Suresh Raina was playing shots at the other end also eased the pressure on me. It gave me time to settle down and in getting to know what the wicket was about,"
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