Singh is king: Highest bid followed by Yuvraj’s ton
Many were surprised over the price tag of Rs. 14 crore, RCB paid for the southpaw. On Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium playing for Air India in the BCCI Corporate Trophy, Yuvraj hit a match-winning 74-ball 105, justifying his price tag.
It has been quite an eventful year for Yuvraj Singh. After being dropped from the India side, the middle-order batsman had an average season in the Ranji Trophy. Midway through the season came news of him being ignored for both the one-day and Test sides for the tour of New Zealand.
Under the circumstances, many were surprised over the price tag of Rs. 14 crore, Royal Challengers Bangalore paid for the southpaw. On Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium playing for Air India in the BCCI Corporate Trophy, Yuvraj hit a match-winning 74-ball 105 against State Bank of Mysore, in a way justifying his price tag.
In the past domestic season and in India’s clashes against South Africa and West Indies, Yuvraj had flattered to deceive. With just one 50 in the season, not many would have touted Yuvraj to be the highest earner in the IPL auction.
His knock on Sunday though, bore traces of the past when he could single-handedly flatten oppositions. BCCI showed faith in him in the shortest format and kept him in the World Cup T20 squad.
The big heaves were back. The thud of the bat against ball echoed through the empty confines of the Wankhede. Yuvraj was in his element. Five towering sixes off the hapless State Bank of Mysore bowling only underlined his dominance.
“I’m not looking at making a big statement. It’s not like I have to prove anything to anyone. I have to prove to myself that I have it in me,” he said.Brief scores: Air India 327/7 (Yuvraj 105, M Bisla 58, N Ojha 60; Sharath 3/92) bt SBM 225/8 (A Joshi 72; Pankaj Singh 3/12).