Singh of Sixes: Yuvraj Magic Lights up Bangalore Sky Once Again
Thunder never strikes the same place twice. Yuvraj Singh would differ though as he slammed nine sixes against Delhi Daredevils - just two days after hitting seven sixes against Rajasthan in Bangalore.
Form is temporary. Class is permanent.
Yuvraj Singh's fans showed this message with pride as their hero slammed nine sixes through the course of a blitzkrieg of an innings against Delhi Daredevils. Just two days after he smashed 83 off 38 against Rajasthan, the veteran southpaw blasted an unbeaten 68 off just 29 balls in an encore of epic proportions, on Tuesday. His carnage helped Bangalore (186/4) script a 16-run triumph. (Scorecard)
Yuvraj made M Chinnaswamy Stadium his favourite hunting ground when he had blown Rajasthan bowlers to smithereens and also claimed four wickets. It was in a losing cause and he had said he felt the pain. On Tuesday though, he single-handedly transferred all of his pain to the Delhi team - already out of contention of making it to the playoffs. Coming in to bat at No. 5, Yuvraj took charge early after Delhi had removed the 'terrifying trio' of Chris Gayle (22), Virat Kohli (10)and AB de Villiers (33).
Lightening never strikes twice but there is no 'never' in T20 cricket. Yuvraj showed that sending back his fellow power-hitters meant very little for the visitors as he ripped Delhi bowling with ferocious intent. Flicks, pulls, hooks and cuts all went sailing over the boundary rope as spectators in Bangalore got repeated catching practice, once again.
In fact, Yuvraj was as merciless against pace as he was against spin - smashing spinner Imran Tahir for three sixes and medium-pacer Rahul Shukla for four. The 32-year-old also showed that T20 cricket is as much for the old warhorses as it is for the young guns - plundering 36 runs on the on-side and another 32 on the off.
In the end, Bangalore spectators appeared as tired from celebrating as Delhi bowlers looked exhausted from the brutality they were subjected to. If Royal Challengers Bangalore have to make it to the playoffs, many would say that a miracle is what would be needed - Not too difficult as long as Yuvraj continues to spell out magical charms with his spectacular hitting.