For the past 18 months Yuvraj Singh was relegated to the category of 'has-been'. When he was chosen for the World Cup squad there were a few mutters about 'fitness' and 'that tubby is in the squad?'
But in that great Indian tradition of 'performance equals amnesia', all has been forgiven. Now he still might be tubby, but he is almost, possibly, nearly a minor deity in the previously monolithic Indian pantheon.
His latest performance not only saved his jittery team once again but also dealt a death-blow to the hopes of the Australians for a fourth World Cup.
Those hopes were slim to begin with but they were given new wings mid-way when the Indian batting side essentially went crazy. Gautham Gambhir on-pitch nervous breakdown will certainly be hard to forget but luckily the insanity wasn't too infectious and Yuvraj stood strong.
In the post-match ceremonies Yuvraj looked as stunned as any of us when he accepted his fourth man-of-the-match in this World Cup. Perhaps he was also thinking of the next match.
While Dhoni and Yuvraj made light of the upcoming India – Pakistan match, saying that they considered all teams equals, as fans we have to respectfully disagree.
Some teams are more equal than others perhaps and the Pakistan team is especially not as equal as the men in blue would like them to be.
The green shirts have something to prove and will go through hell or high waters to do so. A dangerous semi-final beckons next week.
Image: Yuvraj Singh, right, celebrates as Australia Brett Lee looks on, after winning the match during the Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match between India and Australia, in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, March 24, 2011.
Text: Vinayak Hegde
Images: AP/PTI
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