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This is an archive article published on December 17, 2008

Yuvi was asked to ‘pretend’ he was playing an ODI: Kirsten

Kirsten has revealed that Yuvraj was asked to 'pretend' like he was playing an ODI knock in the Chennai Test.

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India’s cricket coach Gary Kirsten has revealed that Yuvraj Singh rediscovered his form in the Chennai Test against England after being asked to ‘pretend’ that he was playing a one-day knock.

Comeback man Yuvraj, who flopped in the first innings with 14 runs, more than made up for it with a quick-fire 85 in the second essay as India clinched a memorable six-wicket victory.

“Yuvraj has felt the heat but you need just one innings to turn it around. We told him to pretend he was playing a one day innings, and to play positively,” Kirsten said.

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Kirsten said even when England were on top, he was confident of an Indian win.

“England were on top but we still felt that we could win. Then it was up to England to make a plan. We went into the fifth day saying that we could do it,” he said.

“We were sure that we could make it. I had seen Sehwag play and knew what he was capable of and Sachin was of course equally good,” he added.

India chased down a record 387 target in the match riding on Sachin Tendulkar’s magnificent 41st hundred. Kirsten said even when not in best of forms, Tendulkar is a confidence booster in the dressing room.

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“The players were nervous but when you have Tendulkar at the crease, playing as he did, the nervousness seems to disappear,” said Kirsten.

Kirsten said the reason why India had been putting up one dominating display after another is the fine current form of all the team members.

“Our batting line-up is getting decent scores and there is great balance in the bowling line-up,” said Kirsten.

“It’s been amazing being part of this setup and its been really big for me,” he added.

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