India’s dislike for the controversial Umpire Decision Referral System (UDRS) was never a secret and Yuvraj Singh is the latest player from the side to put a question mark over the technology, calling it “confusing”.
“It’s a bit confusing. I don’t know, don’t understand it much,” Yuvraj said after leading India to a five-wicket win over Ireland in their World Cup match here on Sunday night.
The DRS, which has come under constant scrutiny in the ongoing tournament, yesterday again came into focus when on-field umpire Rod Tucker gave Ireland’s Alex Cusack out even though the point of impact of the ball on the pad was more than 2.5 metres from stumps.
The umpire ruled Cusack not out off Yuvraj in the 44th over but after an appeal by India, he reversed his decision and gave the batsman out though TV replays showed the point of impact at the pad would have been more than 2.5 meters from the stumps.
Yuvraj, who scored an unbeaten 50 in India’s successful chase, said he was happy to have finished the game for India.
“I am very happy that I finished the game for India, it will give me a lot of confidence. It was important that somebody stays till the end. My responsibility in the team has always been to play till the end,” he said.
Yuvraj starred with the ball too picking up five wickets.
“The feeling was like when I scored my first century. For a part-time bowler, I am very happy to have picked up five wickets. Can’t ask for more. I am trying very hard, I am much fitter. I always want to do well for India, and don’t want to look back. Last two games, I scored two fifties,” he said.
The specialist India spinner Harbhajan Singh fared poorly but Yuvraj defended his teammates.
“Everyday can’t be your day. They have all been performing well and Bhajji has been a world class bowler for many years. Taking wickets don’t mean I will overshadow Bhajji. There was a time when Bhajji was scoring centuries.”
Despite his good run with the ball in recent times, Yuvraj made it clear that batting will remain his priority.
“Bowling, I won’t say, has (helped) regaining my confidence.”
Yuvraj said batting in the second innings was easier as the ball was coming on to the bat.
“Ireland bowled very well but the wicket was better in the second innings. When the ball changes, it spins a bit.”
Asked why India did not opt for the batting powerplay during his partnership with Dhoni, he said, “We just wanted to play till the end and didn’t want to lose a wicket at that stage.”
The left-hander felt the turning point of the match was Niall O’ Brien’s run out by Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Yuvraj has now scored two successive fifties in the tournament but when asked if he is the right contender for the number four slot, he said, “We have a team strategy and won’t change slots because of one or two fifties.”
Yuvraj felt the ability to do well at any given situation bodes well for the team.
“In every situation, everyone is doing well, and that’s a good sign,” he said. Yuvraj also said that Ireland deserved to play in the World Cup.
