News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp
Home  » Sports » Yuvi was asked to 'pretend': Kirsten

Yuvi was asked to 'pretend': Kirsten

Source: PTI
December 17, 2008 17:59 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

India's coach Gary Kirsten has revealed that Yuvraj Singh rediscovered his form in the Chennai Test against England after being asked to "pretend" that he was playing a one-day knock.

Yuvraj, who flopped in the first innings with 14 runs, more than made up for it with a quick-fire 85 in the second essay as India clinched a memorable six-wicket victory.

"Yuvraj has felt the heat but you need just one innings to turn it around. We told him to pretend he was playing a one day innings, and to play positively," Kirsten told Neo Cricket.

Kirsten said even when England were on top, he was confident of an Indian win.

"England were on top but we still felt that we could win. Then it was up to England to make a plan. We went into the fifth day saying that we could do it," he said.

"We were sure that we could make it. I had seen Sehwag play and knew what he was capable of and Sachin was of course equally good," he added.

India chased down a record 387 target in the match riding on Sachin Tendulkar's magnificent 41st hundred. Kirsten said even when not in best of forms, Tendulkar is a confidence booster in the dressing room.

"The players were nervous but when you have Tendulkar at the crease, playing as he did, the nervousness seems to disappear," said Kirsten.

Kirsten said the reason why India had been putting up one dominating display after another is the fine current form of all the team members.

"Our batting line-up is getting decent scores and there is great balance in the bowling line-up," said Kirsten. 

"It's been amazing being part of this setup and its been really big for me," he added.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: PTI© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.

India In Australia 2024-2025