Power, placement, persona: Yuvi has it all

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><img src="/photo/442723.cms" alt="/photo/442723.cms" border="0" /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">ADELAIDE:</span> It was almost four years ago, in the jungles of Kenya, that the legend of Yuvraj Singh was born. We were working on our stories, on the eve of the key mini-World Cup clash between India and Australia, when an old hand came racing towards us, almost gasping for breath.<br /><br />"You gotta watch this guy," he declared. "I''ve never seen anything like this before." Even before we could find out the reason for his sudden excitement, he added: "He''s hitting the ball harder and further than anybody, even Tendulkar." Yuvraj, of course, went on to smash 84 runs against a full-strength Australia to storm into the hearts of India''s cricket fans; his good looks, athletic frame and agile fielding made him an instant star too. <br /><br />On Thursday, in the day-nighter against Australia, he took another step towards becoming a bigger hero: he whipped up 139 in 122 deliveries and mesmerised everybody at the Sydney Cricket Ground with his power, his timing and his placement. "Yes mate, he looks like a good hitter. He was hitting pretty cleanly," said Ricky Ponting. "It was one of the best innings I have seen," added Sourav Ganguly. <br /><br />"It feels really good to score like that against Australia in Australia," Yuvraj told Times News Network in a telephone chat on Friday. "They are obviously the best side in the world and knocks like this give you lot of confidence," he added. <br /><br />Like everybody in the current team, however, he was disappointed with the result. "I am just feeling bad that we didn''t win the match in the end. It would have really made it special," he said.<br /><br />Yuvraj picked up the Man-of-the-Match award but he and Laxman were outwitted by rain and a Brett Lee masterstroke in the final over. He explained that his strategy was simple: "We were already three down. I had batted well in the previous game too (a match-winning knock of 69) and was feeling positive here too. I just decided to play myself in. <br /><br />"We had a good partnership going and as we reached the final overs, I decided to have a go at the bowling," he said. <br /><br />He had more than a go of course: a six towards mid-wicket, a lofted four over covers, another four past fine leg and a six straight over the sight-screen gave India 22 runs in Ian Harvey''s last over. And almost a victory. <br /><br />Yuvraj is now hoping that he can continue playing key roles during the series. But then, he is looking ahead too. "Yes, I am still looking for a place in the Tests. I know it''s very hard to get in as we have so many greats batting for us at the same time.</div> </div>