Ranatunga says Yuvraj has come of age as a batsman during the limited overs series in Lanka
Ranatunga says Yuvraj has come of age as a batsman during the limited overs series in Lanka
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At the start of the just concluded ODI series, it would have been a surprise to hear that among the Indian batsmen, Yuvraj Singh would be the target No 1 of the Sri Lanka bowlers. But, it indeed will be the case when the Indian players go out to play in the Twenty20 game against Lanka today.
Yuvraj so tormented the Lankan bowlers in the five-match ODI series that from a Muttiah Muralitharan-Ajantha Mendis' bunny, he has become the bully.
No wonder, Sri Lanka's cricket legend Arjuna Ranatunga can't stop praising the dashing left-hander.
Touch of class
Ranatunga said while Yuvraj's class was never in doubt, he has added steel to his batting which has made him a real force to reckon with.
"Talent wise, there are very few cricketers in the world as blessed as Yuvraj. Touch is a word commonly used in international cricket, but touch is a dividing line between class and mediocrity. Fortunately, he possesses that touch," Ranatunga told MiD DAY.
The former Sri Lanka left-hand batsman and skipper said Yuvraj was deserving of the man of the series award.
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"I am happy that he has won the man of the series award. I noticed he is a changed cricketer. He did not do well in the last series here especially against Muralitharan and Mendis, but this time he not only sorted them out, but dominated them too. I like the way he takes the bowling apart; it's very difficult to contain him," said Ranatunga.
Yuvraj buried his Lanka ghosts with 284 runs at an average of 56.80 in five games.
"His shot selection is fantastic. At the moment, he is the best left-hand player of the pull shot. Anything outside the off stump, he can pull to mid-on and square-leg at will. He is very courageous and an excellent fielder.
"Somebody should work with him on his bowling. If he takes his bowling seriously, he can develop into a good all-round cricketer," said Ranatunga.
The Sri Lankan great expressed surprise that Yuvraj took such a long time to cement his place in the Test side.
"I am surprised to know he is playing international cricket for nine years. Yuvraj is a match-winner and he should have established himself by this time as a Test cricketer."
Weakness
Ranatunga observed that Yuvraj's only weakness has been his inconsistency.
"The only problem is that he is not consistent. The quality he has, he should have won many more matches for India. I am sure if he can become a consistent cricketer, he would be an asset for the Indian Test team as well."
While Yuvraj is on his way to break the Test jinx, he is already on his way to become a one-day great. And, Ranatunga, who led his country to the 1996 World Cup triumph, declared that the 2011 World Cup would belong to the Indian left-hander.
"If I have to talk of the 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj will be a force to reckon with and key player for India."
It is not good news for the bowlers the world over. Doubtless, the Sri Lankan bowlers will be on the backfoot in today's game.
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