'I Waited For it A Long Time'

For some time now, Yuvraj Singh has been anintegral part of India's cricketing resurgence and the strapping youngster fromPunjab has now added the most vital ingredient to his batting armoury --consistency -- to demand respect and acclaim for his abilities.

Despite the enormous talent, Yuvraj often drew a lot offlak for his lack of consistency during the early stages of his career, but the21-year-old has now made it a habit to come up with match-winning knocks for hiscountry in crunch situations and relishes the challenge of doing it every timehe steps in to bat.

His maiden century may have taken a long time to come for someone of his calibre, but Yuvraj has learnt to be patient, fully aware thatdreams come true only if you keep working hard.

The young batting sensation struck a career-bestunbeaten 102 off just 85 balls in India's triumph in the opening TVS Cup match against Bangladesh, a milestone which was achieved afterthree years and 70 one-day internationals.

It was a typically aggressive knock by the Punjab ladwho completed his first 50 in 60 balls and the second 50 in just 25 balls.

"I waited for it (century) for a long time. It isindeed a special moment," Yuvraj said as India scripted a huge 200- runvictory over Bangladesh.

Yuvraj, who has an one-day aggregate of 1631 runs in 71 matches at an average of31.36, however, did not rate the knock as his best saying he values more some ofthe other knocks which came in cruch situations.

He is aware that batting in the lower middle order maynot give him enough opportunities to score centuries but believes that personalmilestones have little relevance in a team game.

"I generally come at a stage when I have to go forquick runs. I try to bat till the 50th over and help my team put up a bigtotal on the board. What matters is that the team should win in the end,"said the youngster whose previous best was 98 against Sri Lanka in 2001.

Yuvraj oozes quiet confidence but he admitted he wasbeginning to get a trifle worried about the magical three-figure mark eludinghim for so long. He had even asked the team's sports psychologist Sandy Gordon,who had interacted with the players a couple of times during the World Cup, asto why the century was not coming.

It is not known what Gordon actually told him but whatis clear is that Yuvraj has emerged a far more reliable batsman willing totake more responsibility on his shoulders.

The absence of a number of seniors, including Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, has provided Yuvraj the platform tonot only make his mark but also improve upon his statistics which donot justify his immense potential.

"The absence of class players like Tendulkar and Dravid certainly makes alot of difference. They are great players, but it also gives an opportunity tosome of the young players to prove their worth," Yuvraj said.

Yuvraj's new batting confidence has a lot to do withcaptain Saurav Ganguly who has always backed the youngster and pressed for hisselection despite his erratic display in the early stages of his career.

Yuvraj burst onto the international scene with atypically belligerent 84 against Australia in the ICC Knockout competition inKenya in 2000-01 and the media hailed him as the 'messiah' who was destined toplay a big part in Indian cricket.

But he could not live upto expectations and astring of poor scores led to his ouster from the team after a disastrous tour ofSouth Africa 2001.

He only regained his place in the side against Zimbabwein early 2002.

With his heroic effort in the Natwest Trophy finalagainst England at the hallowed Lord's and a few cameos in therecent World Cup, Yuvraj has once again become the blue-eyed boy of Indiancricket.

PTI