World T20 gold - Sixes galore from Yuvraj Singh - Part 2 - Opinion
Continued from Part 1...
The men in the middle were Yuvraj Singh and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Robin-Uthappa-c2356, who came to the crease and managed to steer the ship out of troubled waters. Both players notched up a few singles and launched a boundary or two when it was required. Then came a moment of absolute
madness, dexterity and brilliance that turned the face of T20 cricket on its head.
It was the 19th over, and India was standing pretty at 171 for 3. Uthappa had already departed and skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Flintoff-c44360 and Yuvraj Singh prior
to this encounter, which charged the Punjabi up to the point of recalling vague flashbacks of the Oval in the NatWest Series of 2007. It was in that game that Yuvraj was castigated for leaking five sixes in one of the death overs against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mascarenhas-c912
of England. The fact that Flintoff reminded Yuvraj of that over perhaps, stung him into action.
The 19th over was to be bowled by Stuart Broad and as soon as the first delivery was bowled to a charged up Yuvraj Singh, the penny dropped. He launched a massive six over cow corner that set Kingsmead alight. Broad then, decided to go a little
fuller and Yuvraj deposited his second delivery over backward square leg for another towering six. The crowd was ecstatic, and by that time it seemed as if Yuvi had already answered Flintoff’s blatant sledging. Yet Yuvraj was far from being satisfied as he
launched his next delivery, which was wide outside the off stump, over extra cover for another six, which would have made the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brian-Charles-Lara-c48471 proud. Flintoff could manage only a wry smile, but the game was far from over.
A nervous Stuart Broad then decided to go around the wicket, which may have been the right idea at that point of time, but he committed a cardinal sin by bowling a rank full toss to Yuvraj at shoulder height. Singh was ruthless, as he swung his bat with
a flick of the wrists, and the ball was deposited for a flat six over backward point. That shot sent down alarm bells in the English camp, which eventually lead to a team meeting between the fielders. The wheels were coming off for England as the Barmy Army
was swarmed by passionate Indian supporters. The meeting however, proved to be futile as Yuvraj cleared his left leg and deposited Broad for another massive six over mid wicket as Kingsmead roared in approval and the commentators gasped in disbelief.
Five sixes had been peppered in a row in that game and the possibilities of Yuvraj smoking another one and equaling Garry Sobers record loomed high. The England fielders gulped with sweaty palms as the crowd was stunned into silence. The field was set; the
commentators could barely mutter a word and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SCJ-Broad-c2465 teetered to the wicket with shaky legs.
It was a massive swing. A swing that redefined cricket, as Yuvraj Singh of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 managed to deposit his sixth six over cow corner to set up a World record. Kingsmead erupted as tri colored flags littered the entire stadium. It was implausible, unpredictable
and completely bizarre. Yet it happened, it happened to the point of Yuvraj scoring a half century off just 12 deliveries, as India posted a monstrous 218 for four in 20 Overs.
Whatever happened after India’s innings became immaterial. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yuvraj-Singh-c98364 became
the T20 cricket icon that millions of cricket mad fans from the subcontinent looked up to. Even ardent http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 cricket fans were overawed by what was the finest display of power hitting in the history of the game, let alone T20 cricket.
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