Yuvraj steals the show on return

Oct 10, 2013

With the world's attention focused on Sachin Tendulkar's retirement, many would have forgotten there was a T20 match at hand, with India taking on Australia in Rajkot. Yuvraj Singh, who had fought his way back into the squad after a poor run of form late last year, was set to make his international return•BCCI

The openers passed 50 in the fifth over, before Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Maddinson for 34 off 16 balls•BCCI

Vinay picked up the wickets of Shane Watson and George Bailey to make it 84 for 3 but Australia motored along and put up an imposing 201•BCCI

Virat Kohli guided India with 29 off 22 balls•BCCI

MS Dhoni administered the last rites with a four and two runs in the final over to lead India to victory with six wickets in hand and two balls to spare•BCCI

MS Dhoni won the toss and put Australia in to bat. Nic Maddinson, the young New South Wales batsman making his international debut, set the stadium alight with some belligerent strokes around the ground•BCCI

Aaron Finch took command thereafter, charging Australia along at a decent clip•BCCI

Any hope of a strong Indian opening was put to rest as Clint McKay had Rohit Sharma caught behind with the score on 12•BCCI

Yuvraj entered the fray in the ninth over and looked in great form, nudging the singles and finding the odd boundary when required•BCCI

Finch brought up his half-century in 29 balls, and threatened to reach a second T20 century before Vinay Kumar took a return catch to dismiss him for 89 •BCCI

Shikhar Dhawan struck a 19-ball 32 to keep India in the hunt before succumbing to Xavier Doherty in the ninth over•BCCI

It came down to the old firm of Yuvraj and Dhoni to see India through the middle overs. A leaner, fitter Yuvraj hit a six down the ground to reach his half-century•BCCI