Thaindian News

Ahmedabad, March 24 (IANS) In-form Yuvraj Singh Thursday rated India’s World Cup quarterfinal victory over Australia as special and said he was going through the best phase of his career.

Yuvraj said pressure of playing the four-time World Cup champions was something he seldom experienced before.

Yuvraj was the stand out player in the quarterfinal here, hitting a sublime 57 off 65 balls and picking up two wickets. The stylish batsman has also had a dream World Cup so far with four fifties and a hundred to his name in seven matches. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for the fourth time in this edition.

“I don’t know about hitting any purple patch, but the pressure today of playing Australia was something else. I think I am going through the best phase of my career. I am playing this World Cup for a special person and whenever I am in crunch situations I always think about that person,” said Yuvraj, refusing to divulge who that special person is.

“I don’t know what is going to happen next, but beating the four-time world champions was special.”

India were at a precarious 187 for five when Yuvraj and Suresh Raina set up a match-winning partnership of 74 runs in 61 balls. Yuvraj praised his partner and said he was confident of chasing the total till the two were together.

“When Dhoni got out, I knew we still had Raina to come, and thought if we added 40-odd runs it would be good. I know Raina was there and we had to do the job.”

When asked about his form, Yuvraj said: “It has been a tough last year. It turned around with the half century against England in the group stages in the World Cup.

“I am hitting the ball well and sticking to the policy of hitting it straight and keeping it down the ground. I hope it continues in the remaining matches.”

Talking about the mix-up with Gautam Gambhir, leading to the latter’s run out, Yuvraj said he had told the Delhi batsman in jest that he was no Virender Sehwag to run like him.

Yuvraj said it was his fault and he apologised to Gambhir.

“I told Gautam I am no Virender Sehwag, I can’t run like that … Well, may be it was my fault and I apologised.”

Asked about India-Pakistan semifinal clash, Yuvraj said: “I don’t want to think about the match. The more we think about that match I think we would put us under some pressure. This match (against Australia) has completely drenched us. We have a few days break and would like to take rest and think again.”