'Middle order needs to deliver in Mumbai'

The middle order's indifferent show in the Test series so far was a cause of worry, Yuvraj Singh said.

The middle order's indifferent show in the series so far was a cause of worry, flamboyant batsman Yuvraj Singh said on Thursday while promising a better performance in the third Test beginning in Mumbai on Saturday.

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"Obviously when the middle order is not scoring runs it's a bit of a worry. But Irfan (Pathan) and (skipper) Rahul Dravid batted really well. But it's time for the middle order to perfom in the next game," he told reporters at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

Asked whether the ploy to go in with five bowlers did not put pressure on the frontline batsmen, Yuvraj Singh said the thought that they were one batsman short was always at the back of one's mind though there was also comfort from the fact that Pathan and wicket keeper Mahendra Dhoni can bat.

"Obviously there's a thought at the back of the mind that there are only five batsmen. But there's also the fact that Irfan can bat and Dhoni is playing as a batsman and you can play your normal game," said Yuvraj who missed the first Test at Nagpur because of a hamstring strain suffered at the fag end of the Pak tour.

"Obviously I was eager to get back though the break was only for 15 days. I think I batted with the same flow when I was playing in Pakistan. I did not realise I had to start all over again," he said.