Chennai Centurion Yuvraj Singh plays down bouncer threat against World Champions in Motera
Chennai Centurion Yuvraj Singh plays down bouncer threat against World Champions in Motera
Yesterday's man of the match against the West Indies, Yuvraj Singh has thrown down the gauntlet to the Aussies whom India meet in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Motera on Thursday.
"They (Australia) have won four games, the teams are equally matched. Whoever plays better on the day will win," a confident Yuvraj told reporters after India's 80-run win over the West Indies. "Since the likes of Glenn McGrath left the scene, they haven't been the same (team). We can get on top of their middle-order, even Ricky Ponting is not in good form. If we focus on our plans, target their weaknesses, we can win the quarter-final."
Yuvraj coupled his 13th ODI ton with a haul of 2-18.
Both Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir fell to the rising deliveries of Ravi Rampaul.
When asked if his side was ready to counter Australia's three-pronged pace attack that is expected to come hard at the Indians with a barrage of bouncers, Yuvraj said: "We have absolutely no issues with the short ball.
If we did, we wouldn't be No 1 Test team, and No 2 ODI team. This is speculation - a way to criticise the team.u00a0 We know they have fast bowlers who will come hard at us. We will be prepared for it."
Yuvraj brushed aside concerns over the team getting bowled out for a third consecutive occasion. "It doesn't matter whether we collapsed or not, what matters is that we won the game," the southpaw said.
Last year, Yuvraj was ignored for the Asia Cup. Earlier this year in South Africa, there were strong calls for his axe.
"I have worked hard to this reach stage, have had to battle tough times. There's a saying that tough people stand out, tough times don't. That's my motto," he said.
"I suffered due to injuries and poor form. Now, the results are in front of you. This is the sort of moment you live for as a cricketer. We don't care who we have to beat in the quarters or semis. If we want to win a World Cup, we have to beat the best," he concluded.
