In a post-match press conference following India's thrilling six-wicket victory over Australia, Yuvraj Singh made a surprising yet heartfelt statement: he believed that captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni should have been awarded the Man of the Match, not himself. The left-hander had just received the honor for his own contribution of 78 runs, but he was quick to deflect credit to his skipper, who remained unbeaten on 71. This moment encapsulated the selflessness and team spirit that defined the Indian dressing room during the 2009 ODI series against the world champions.
The Series Context
India and Australia were locked in a fiercely contested seven-match ODI series on Indian soil. Australia entered the series as the reigning Champions Trophy winners, having defeated New Zealand in the final just a month earlier. India, led by Dhoni, were looking to assert their dominance at home. After three matches, India held a 2-1 lead, and the fourth match at Mohali proved to be a crucial turning point. The surface was slow and low, offering assistance to spinners and making stroke play difficult. Batting first, Australia posted a competitive total, but India's chase stuttered until Dhoni and Yuvraj joined forces.
The Record Partnership
The partnership between Dhoni and Yuvraj yielded 148 runs for the fifth wicket, effectively taking the game away from Australia. Yuvraj described the wicket as the slowest he had ever played on, emphasizing the need to spend time at the crease. He targeted getting to 30 runs before accelerating. Dhoni, meanwhile, played a typically composed innings, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries. Yuvraj said, 'We played smart cricket. We did not go for the big shots early on, rather waited for loose balls. We picked up those singles and played smart cricket.' This approach contrasted with the aggressive hitting that Australia's bowlers had encountered earlier in the series.
Expanding on Dhoni's role, Yuvraj noted, 'He was fantastic... He deserved the Man of the Match award.' The two batsmen had contrasting styles: Yuvraj was more elegant and fluent, while Dhoni relied on power and timing. Yet they complemented each other perfectly. Yuvraj also compared batting with Dhoni to batting with Rahul Dravid, stating that while Dravid is a great Test batsman, Dhoni's one-day approach is something from which everyone can learn. This highlighted the versatility in the Indian batting lineup.
Yuvraj's Response to Critics
Yuvraj also took the opportunity to address his critics. He had often been accused of struggling against spinners and on slow tracks. His innings of 78, which included several boundaries against the Australian spin duo of Nathan Hauritz and Adam Voges, was a direct rebuttal. With an impish smile, he said, 'Some times I get this criticism from you guys that I cannot play well on such slow tracks. So it was great to prove you guys wrong.' This moment of vindication was important for a player who had faced scrutiny throughout his career, especially after a lean patch in 2008.
Yuvraj's ability to adapt to different conditions has been a hallmark of his career. From his explosive batting in the 2007 World T20 to his match-winning performances in the 2011 World Cup, he has proven his mettle time and again. His innings against Australia in Mohali was another feather in his cap, reinforcing his status as one of India's most reliable match-winners in the middle order.
Support for Teammates
Despite his own success, Yuvraj did not forget to support his struggling teammates. He threw his weight behind Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag, both of whom were going through a rough patch. Harbhajan, the off-spinner, had not picked up many wickets in the series, but Yuvraj noted that he was bowling well and had gained confidence from his performance in this match. 'Harbhajan is bowling well even though he has not picked that many wickets. But I think he bowled well today and gained lot of confidence. Hopefully he will deliver in the next few matches,' Yuvraj said.
Regarding Sehwag, the explosive opener had given India good starts in the previous two games but had not converted them into big scores. Yuvraj expressed his desire to see Sehwag score a century soon. 'About Viru, I'm always happy to see him bat. He has given us good starts in the last two games and I'm looking forward to a big century from him,' he added. This camaraderie within the team was a key factor in India's success during this period.
The Dhoni Factor
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy had often been praised for his calm demeanor and tactical acumen. His batting, however, was sometimes overlooked. In this match, he demonstrated why he was considered one of the best finishers in the game. His unbeaten 71 came off just 76 balls, with five boundaries and two sixes. He paced his innings perfectly, ensuring that India reached the target with minimal risk. Yuvraj's comments reflected the respect Dhoni commanded in the dressing room. It was not just about the runs; it was about the way Dhoni handled pressure and brought the best out of his teammates.
This series was also a testament to Dhoni's leadership. He had taken over as captain in 2007 and had already led India to victory in the inaugural World T20. Now, he was building a formidable ODI team capable of challenging Australia at home. The 2-1 lead in the series was a statement of intent, though Yuvraj cautioned against complacency. 'It's great to get the momentum but we cannot say right now that we would win the series. Australia are the top team. They are coming after winning the Champions Trophy. We cannot be complacent. After all, they have not lost a (bi-lateral) ODI series in the last couple of years,' he warned.
Historical Significance
The 2009 India-Australia series holds a special place in the history of Indian cricket. It was a clash between the two top-ranked teams in the world, played in front of passionate home crowds. Yuvraj's innings and Dhoni's captaincy were defining moments. The partnership they forged in Mohali became a blueprint for how to chase on difficult wickets. It also highlighted the depth in India's batting lineup, which could rely on both experience and youth. For Yuvraj, the innings was a reminder of his class and resilience.
Looking back, Yuvraj's statement that Dhoni deserved the Man of the Match award summed up the selfless culture that Dhoni had instilled in the team. It was not about individual glory but about collective success. This philosophy would later help India win the 2011 World Cup, where Yuvraj himself was the player of the tournament. But on that November day in Mohali, it was Dhoni who was the hero in Yuvraj's eyes.
Source:Cricbuzz News