Yuvraj Singh: It’s the best birthday I’ve ever had

After leading India to a thrilling win over Sri Lanka in the second and final T20 International with an all-round performance, Yuvraj Singh, who turned 28 today, said that it was his "best birthday" so far.

"This is my best birthday till now. I am very happy the way we played, especially the batsmen," Yuvraj said after scoring a blistering 60 of 25 balls and taking three crucial wickets

The flamboyant southpaw believed that after being set an imposing target of 207, Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir had given a good start to the team.

Yuvraj has not had many special performances on his home ground to cherish. Expressing satisfaction over his stellar knock, he said, "now, I am happy to turn it around today. But frankly I was not expecting to score 60 of 25 balls".

The birthday boy said after the victory his teammates celebrated in the dressing room by smearing the cake all over his face.

"There was lot of cake on my face. M S (Dhoni) held my hands and the rest of the players kept applying it all over my face and I could not see who all were the culprits. But I will take revenge once I come to know their names," quipped Yuvraj.

Source: Cricket Nirvana

India Vs Srilanka T20: Srilanka Wins by 29 runs

Twenty20 cricket is often about hammer and tongs but Kumar Sangakkara took batting to a different plane. In a fine exhibition of aggressive batting, the Lankan captain hammered Indian bowling attack to score a splendid 78 in 37 balls, taking Lanka to a massive 215 for five. In the end, it proved 29 runs too many, as India finished with 186 for nine after 20 overs. Incidentally, it was India’s fourth loss in a row in T20 internationals.

The captain, who got run out on the last ball of the match, led from the front and other batsmen pitched in with valuable contributions. Sangakkara, in his innings, scored 11 fours and 2 sixes and won the man-of-the-match award for his brilliant effort. The Lankan innings, which was a magnificent run feast, included 29 boundaries and 5 sixes.

In reply, India started off well, with openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag. Nuwan Kulasekhara provided the Lankans with the  first breakthrough. He had Sehwag caught at deep point for a 14-ball 26.

Gambhir was in murderous mood, piercing off-side at will. He pulverized the Lankan bowling attack with a barrage of shots. Angelo Mathews removed him with a fuller delivery, knocking off his stumps in the ninth over.

Thereafter, Indian middle-order returned to pavilion in a procession. The humiliation was complete when India could only manage 186 for nine after 20 overs. India would be looking to respond strongly when the two teams meet for the second T20 International at Mohali on Saturday.

Source: Cricket Nirvana