Vintage Yuvraj Singh's explosive hitting was on full display as he rekindled memories of his prime with a spectacular performance against Australia in the International Masters League (IML) semi-final on March 13 in Raipur. Yuvraj Singh, renowned for his knack of producing match-winning innings against Australia in crucial encounters, once again tormented his familiar rivals, this time in the IML. Sachin Tendulkar's India Masters posted a formidable 220 for 7 after Australia chose to field.
Yuvraj Singh runs riot with the bat, belts 7 big sixes in 30-ball 59
Yuvraj Singh's innings was a masterclass, as he blazed 59 runs off just 30 balls, punctuated by seven towering sixes and a solitary boundary. He particularly targeted the Australian spinners, Bryce McGain, Steve O'Keefe, and Xavier Doherty, unleashing his signature slog sweeps. The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium erupted as Yuvraj sent a barrage of sixes soaring into the stands.
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The left-hander reached his half-century in a mere 26 balls, and his dominance was epitomized by a single over against leg-spinner McGain, in which he struck three consecutive sixes. This display of power and precision effectively asserted his authority over Shane Watson's Australian team.
Yuvraj Singh's explosive middle-overs performance was built upon a solid foundation laid by Sachin Tendulkar, who contributed a brisk 42 runs off 30 balls, punctuated by seven boundaries. Stuart Binny added valuable runs with a 36-run knock from 21 deliveries, while Yusuf Pathan provided a quickfire 23 off 10 balls. Irfan Pathan also contributed with a late surge, scoring 19 runs off just 7 balls, providing the necessary impetus to propel India Masters to a commanding total.
Throughout his illustrious career, Yuvraj Singh developed a reputation for delivering decisive blows against formidable Australian teams. This pattern was evident as early as the 2000 ICC Knockout quarterfinal in Nairobi, where his 86-run innings off 80 balls played a pivotal role in India's 20-run victory over Australia. In the 2007 T20 World Cup semi-final, Yuvraj showcased his exceptional talent once again, smashing 70 runs off a mere 30 balls. He dismantled the Australian bowling attack, which featured renowned bowlers like Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds, with five boundaries and as many sixes. This remarkable innings followed his iconic 12-ball 50, including six consecutive sixes in an over, against England in the same tournament, further solidifying his reputation as a big-match performer.
Yuvraj Singh's penchant for crucial performances against Australia was further exemplified in the 2011 World Cup quarter-final. In a pivotal match held in Mohali, he delivered a decisive innings that contributed significantly to India's victory, ultimately eliminating a Ricky Ponting-led Australian team from the tournament. This performance underscored his ability to rise to the occasion in high-stakes encounters, solidifying his reputation as a player who could make a significant impact against Australia.
The Raipur crowd was treated to a nostalgic spectacle on Thursday, witnessing cricketing legends Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh batting in tandem, dismantling the Australian bowling attack. Their partnership, which yielded 47 runs for the third wicket, provided a crucial foundation for India Masters' imposing total.
In reply, Australia Masters were no match to India Masters as they were reduced to just 126, thanks to Shabaz Nadeem's sensational four-fer. With this win India stormed into the final of International Masters League.
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