On this day: Watch how Yuvraj Singh stopped Australia at 2011 World Cup
On March 24 (Thursday), 2011, Yuvraj Singh guided India into the 2011 World Cup semi-final. India defeated Australia by five wickets in Ahmedabad
FollowBengaluru: On this day (March 24) in 2011, all-rounder Yuvraj Singh helped India knock Australia out of the ICC World Cup 2011 in Ahmedabad.
It was the second quarter-final of the World Cup and India played the defending champions Australia, captained by Ricky Ponting. A packed stadium and the hosts did not disappoint the crowd.
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With this win, India booked a semi-final meeting with arch rivals Pakistan in Mohali. India went on to win the last-four encounter and the final, against Sri Lanka, to lift the World Cup after 28 years. Yuvraj won the Man-of-the-series award.
The official Twitter handle of the International Cricket Council (ICC) tweeted a short video of Yuvraj’s knock from that game and wrote, “57* runs 65 balls 8 fours #OnThisDay in 2011, a ferocious Yuvraj Singh took India to a five-wicket win against Australia in the @cricketworldcup quarter-final! This was their first #CWC win over Australia in 24 years (sic).”
India successfully chased down the target of 261 in 47.4 overs for the loss of five wickets. At one stage, the MS Dhoni-led side were in trouble at 187/5 in 37.3 overs. From here on, Yuvraj and Suresh Raina ensured that India won the contest without losing any wickets.
Yuvraj scored 57 not out off 65 balls with eight fours. Raina remained unbeaten on 34 off 28 balls with two fours and one six. There were useful contributions from Sachin Tendulkar (53) and Gautam Gambhir (50), who hit half centuries. Virat Kohli made 24 and Dhoni was dismissed for seven.
For Australia, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson and David Hussey claimed one wicket each. Yuvraj won his fourth Man-of-the-match award in the World Cup.
After the match, Yuvraj said, “I don’t know about hitting any purple patch, but the pressure today, playing Australia, it was something else. When Dhoni got out (187/5), I knew we still had Raina to come, and thought if we added 40 odd runs it would be good.”
Earlier, opting to bat first at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Ponting hit a superb century (104 off 118 balls, 7x4, 1x6) as Australia made 260/6 in 50 overs. Yuvraj, Ravichandran Ashwin and Zaheer Khan took two wickets apiece. India had opened the bowling with Ashwin.
