Dhoni deserved man of the match: Yuvraj by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni
Event:	Australia in India 2009/10

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DateLine: 1st November 2009

 

Man of the Match Yuvraj Singh paid rich tributes to his skipper MS Dhoni, saying the captain deserved the award for guiding the team to victory.

 

The record 148-run stand between Yuvraj (78) and Dhoni (71 not out) was the difference in the match against Australia (which India won by six wickets) and the left-hander said he thoroughly enjoyed batting along with Dhoni.

 

"He was fantastic... He deserved the Man of the Match award," Yuvraj told reporters.

 

When asked to compare his experience of batting alongside Dhoni and Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj said, "They are different players and Dhoni is obviously more dashing. He is the kind of batsman who can make up in the end. No doubt Rahul is a great Test batsman but the way Dhoni plays in one-day internationals, we all can learn from him."

 

Yuvraj said that batting on the track was tough and described the pitch as the slowest surface he has played ever.

 

"It was a low wicket and on this kind of wicket, I thought I have to spend a little time and get those first 30 runs. That was my target."

 

"Batting was tough. We thought me and Mahi would make a partnership. We looked for a 50-run partnership but it got better," he said.

 

"We played smart cricket. We did not go for the big shots early on, rather waited for loose balls. We picked up those singles and played smart cricket," Yuvraj explained.

 

The Southpaw also pointed fingers towards his critics, who have often alleged that he was vulnerable on such tracks and against spinners.

 

"Some times I get this criticism from you guys that I cannot play well on such slow tracks. So it was great to prove you guys wrong," he said, with an impish smile.