I have realised my dream of helping India beat Australia: Yuvraj Singh

Star batsman Yuvraj Singh on Thursday said that he has realised the dream of piloting India to a victory against defending champions Australia in the World Cup though it was very difficult to keep his emotions in check in the high-octane quarter-final match in Ahmedabad.

"Over the last one year I have been dreaming of staying till the end and taking the team to victory against Australia in the World Cup and the moment has come. This is the moment I have lived for as a cricketer," he said at the post-match press conference.

Yuvraj guided India to a sensational five-wicket victory over holders Australia with an unbeaten half century after claiming two wickets and he was adjudged man-of-the-match for the fourth time in the tournament.

He admitted that it was a really tough situation with enormous pressure on him and any small mistake on his part could have thrown India out of the World Cup.

"It was very hard to control emotions. It was difficult to control oneself in such a situation as one mistake and you will be out of the World Cup. I tried to just watch the ball, play down the ground and not lift the ball in the air," said the left-handed batsman.

Yuvraj said he was playing in the tournament with the thought of someone special in his life, though he did not specify the person.

"I am playing for a very special person that comes in my mind and whenever things are not going well I think of that person and things work out," he remarked.

He conceded that the dismissal of Gautam Gambhir, who was run out due to a misunderstanding with him, and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in quick succession had put the team under pressure but Suresh Raina lived up to the challenge and showed nerves in crucial stages.

"When Gambhir got out I thought I will get a good partnership going with M. S. (Dhoni) but when MS got out I knew I was in trouble. When Raina came in I told him to take his time and let's get 20-30 run partnership. He has shown nerves in a crucial stage and this will boost his confidence also," he said.

He said he had already apologised to team-mate Gambhir for the mix-up that resulted in his partner getting run out today.

"I have apologies to Gautam for the miscommunication on the field. We have not played together much. I think it was probably my fault," said Yuvraj.

Though he got his fourth man-of-the-match award in the tournament today, Yuvraj sounded modest and said it was a team effort that was crucial.

"I feel good to have contributed to the team but the victory cannot be achieved by one person, it's a team effort," he said.

He said though he cherished the centuries he had scored in his career, even scores like his 52 not out today were special as they resulted to the team winning a crucial tie.

"Though centuries are very special for a player, when you are able to contribute 20 or 30 runs which help the team win crucial matches they also become special," he said.

Looking ahead to the semifinal clash against arch-rivals Pakistan at Mohali on March 30, Yuvraj said it was going to be another dream game after the India-Australia match today.

"The India-Pakistan game is going to be another dream game after India-Australia. It's a great victory for India today. We would be playing our best cricket against Pakistan.

They know our game we know theirs both teams are equal. They have had a very good tournament and have beaten West Indies and Australia," he said.

"We don't want to think about the Pakistan game now. It has been a high-pressure game for us (against Australia) and lot of our system has been drained. We would like to relax for a couple of days and then make plans about Pakistan game," he added.

Looking back the past one year which had seen him being axed from both the ODI and Test teams, Yuvraj said was very happy that things have turned around for him.

"Last year everything I touched turned into mud. This year it has been a good year," he said.

Praising coach Gary Kirsten for the contributions he has been making, Yuvraj said that was the vital difference from 2007 when the team was knocked out in the first round of the World Cup.

"In 2003 team was very great (when it made the final). I don't want to talk about 2007. In 2011 with Gary coming in, our confidence in each other has grown. Players confide in each other and the way Gary keeps the team like a family that shows in our performance," he pointed out.

- With inputs from PTI

Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/133293/top-stories/world-cup-2011-yuvraj-singh-guides-india-to-a-five-wicket-victory-against-australia-in-the-quarterfinal-match-in-ahmedabad..html

Bookies rule out India, bet on SA

NEW DELHI: Local bookies seem to be counting onSouth Africa to lift the cricket World Cup even though India has been heavily tipped to beat Australia in the quarterfinals on Thursday. This is in stark contrast to what is being projected by international agencies like William Hill who are banking on India as the most likely country to win the Cup. India's slip from the top (it had started as favourites at the start of the tournament) came after its unimpressive show - both in batting and bowling - against South Africa, England and even the West Indies, which India finally managed to beat. 

According to bookies, South Africa are strong favourites with the odds staked at 3.75:1 for a win. This is comparable to the international odds that have been pegged at 10:3. Though the English bookies have kept India as the most probable country to lift the Cup, local bookies have given India the second spot at 3.80:1. Given its number one rank in ODIs, Australia has managed the fourth spot at 5.65:1. India's neighbour Sri Lanka(5.40) is ahead of Australia. South Africa, often dubbed as the greatest chokers of the game, was initially in the fourth spot before clinching the number one spot now. Bookies though are banking on the hosts to prevail over the Kangaroos at Ahmedabad with an offer of Rs 75/79 for Rs 100 for an India win and Rs 78/81 on Rs 100 for an Australian win. The real rates, though, will open only on the day of the game. 

"The fact remains that Sri Lanka too will play at home. With several all-rounders in both the Indian and South African teams, we believe the likes of Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Ajantha Mendis and even Virendra Sehwag will play a major role. However, this is a long tournament and there are always chances of players getting injured. These rates will certainly change once the quarterfinals are over," said a bookie. The rear end is brought up by Pakistan (6.35), England (11.50) and New Zealand (26) after West Indies was knocked out on Wednesday. 

The Delhi police, though, seem reluctant to act against Delhi-based bookies this time round. Most bookies are expected to operate from different areas of central and northwest Delhi. "We nabbed some bookies during the last FIFA football World Cup. But till date, no one has been prosecuted. Many of them, wanted in cases dating back to the last cricket World Cup, have escaped after paying petty fines. You can only stop them temporarily, but the industry - worth crores - manages to bounce back," said a senior district officer on condition of anonymity. 

, a bookie told TOI that with "heightened" police action still likely, since the tournament has reached the quarterfinal stages, they will be "rotating" their hideouts across the city. "We will be entertaining bets only through proven references so that our business is not affected," said the bookie.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Bookies-rule-out-India-bet-on-SA/articleshow/7774738.cms

Preview: England vs Ireland, Match 15

So far in the World Cup, the ICC's stance on minnows not being a part of it from 2015 has proved ably justified. Every team that is sub-standard, has been treated as such. However, it is also a fact that since 1996, each World Cup has seen at least one minnow upset an established Test nation. 

If there is anything in that, it would suggest that in this World Cup too, an upset is waiting to happen. In the first match in Bangalore after the epic tied one, England will want to ensure that the upset that is due, happens another day. 

Team News: 

England: England will be going into the match high on confidence. Not only did they chase an imposing total under the lights in the second innings, but they did it against a side that had 40,000 people cheering their every move. They will also be boosted by the return of Stuart Broad, who missed the match against India. Broad's entry will almost certainly mean that Ajmal Shahzad - who struck the six that enabled the tie - will sit out of the final eleven. England's batting was shown to be world class, and with Andrew Strauss in exceptional form, the Pietersen-Strauss combo at the top of the order will be difficult to contain. England's only real worry is their bowling, and more specifically the bowling of spearhead James Anderson. Anderson has gone for plenty of runs in both ODIs England have played so far, and while it hasn't cost them a match yet, it nearly did against India, and surely will in the future if he doesn't get his act together. If England sort out their bowling woes, they will go from being amongst the good sides in the World Cup to being a formidable one. 

Ireland: Ireland gave Bangladesh the fright of their lives, but ultimately could not keep up and ended up losing their first tie. They will have seen how the Indian batsmen and the Netherlands batsmen handled the English bowlers and are sure to take tips from that. Ireland will go in with one major psychological advantage over England: They have nothing to lose, and England have everything to lose if the result of the match is not a big victory for England. By having no pressure, Ireland can play more freely. 

Head to Head: 

The two teams have gone head to head in 3 ODIs till now, with England winning all three. None of their meetings have come at the World Cup, though. 

Quotes: 

"Nothing dramatic has to change, we played well in the warm-up games -- we've just got to be a bit more ruthless with the bat." - Ireland captain William Porterfield. 

"We haven't played our best cricket yet and we have just tied with India, chasing 338. That has got to be a good sign." - England batsman Ian Bell.

Source:-http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/37400/preview:-england-vs-ireland-match-15/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+CricbuzzFeed+(Cricbuzz:+Cricket+Scores+and+News)

SA beat India by 48 runs (D/L method)

 South Africa beat India by 48 runs (D/L method) in the rain-reduced fourth ODI at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth on Friday. SCORE

India were batting 137/6 in the 31st over with Virat Kohli and Harbhajan Singh at the crease when rain halted play.

 South Africa's Jean-Paul Duminy en route to his unbeaten 71 against India. AP
The game resumed only to end within minutes as rain again stopped play - this time for ever as India score read 142 for 6 in 32.5 overs. Virat Kohli (87) and Harbhajan Singh (3) remained unbeaten.


Earlier, the duo got busy chipping away from the 266-run target even as the South Africa pacers were busy tightening the noose around India.

First South Africa pacer Lonwabo Tsotsobe, who has been in good from throughout the series struck early to claim both openers Rohit Sharma and Pathiv Patel. India were 32/2 post Pathiv's dismissal.

New man Yuvraj Singh had only stayed in the middle for twenty minutes before offie Johan Botha scalped him.

He followed the unwritten rule - if you don't understand which way the ball is turning just sweep it. But the sweep proved costly, the timing was entirely wrong and the ball took the aerial route only to come down at skipper Graeme Smith's throat. He fell for 12 and India to 49/3.

Then Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli formed a 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Raina fell to left-arm spinner Robin Peterson on 20. India were 112/4 at the stage.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2) dropped by for a visit before Peterson thought he looked better on the benches. And India slumped to 123/5.

In came Yusuf Pathan, famous for his heavy heaves, and up went India's hopes only to crash land with a big thud.

A fatal edge off paceman Morne Morkel and Pathan was walking back on 2 with India score reading a poor 128/6.

Finally Virat Kohli and Harbhajan Singh decided to do the unthinkable before rain and Messrs Duckworth and Lewis dampened their spirits.

Earlier, the hosts treated their Indian visitors to some fine stitching exercise with Jean-Paul Duminy and Johan Botha showcasing their craftsmanship with the bat.

India bowlers were left awestruck as the duo put 70 runs on board for the sixth wicket. The end result was a fine 265/7 in 50 overs.

India didn't fall far behind. They too displayed their wares. In fact the South Africa total could have stretched on had India not used the scissors at the right time.

South Africa opener Hashim Amla en route to his 64. AP
Four quick wickets and South Africa were reeling on 118/5. The figure in the runs column could have been even lesser had opener Hashim Amla not posted 64 before being run out.

Yuvraj Singh, who finished with three wickets in the bag, started the snipping job with Morne van Wyk's dismissal on 15. Wyk departed edging an away moving ball to Virat Kohli in the slips.

At the stage the hosts were batting on 106 - not a bad figure considering that they had lost just one wicket (Graeme Smith) before.

Amidst all this cutting and snipping, Amla decided to display his running skills. But he was too greedy and paid heavily for it, falling short on the second run and South Africa fell to 111/3. Still his 64 proved to the central piece in South Africa's design.

AB de Villiers showed how good he is at marching. He marched back on 3 with Yuvraj claiming his wicket and the Protea score was 115/4.

Young Faf du Plessis knew he was good at running and he has proved it before with a half-ton in the last ODI. But today he ran out of steam and got out run out on 1. By now the hosts had slumped to 118/5.

But Duminy with his unbeaten on 71 and Botha, who scored 44 before being sent back by Yuvraj, turned out to be their team lifeguards. Duminy earned a Man-of-the-Match award for his efforts.

With this win, South Africa have levelled the series 2-2 against India. The two now meet on Sunday for the final ODI in Centurion.


Sorce:-http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/127138/latest-headlines/india-vs-south-africa-odi-live-update.html