Adelaide, Feb 19 Indian captain Mahndra Singh Dhoni today hailed the "excellent" batting performance of Yuvraj Singh, saying it was important for the side that the left-hander got back his form sooner than later.

After seeing his team through to a pulsating two-wicket victory in the tri-series game against Sri Lanka here, Dhoni said Yuvraj was expected to deliver the goods and his 70-ball knock of 76 was one of the major reasons for India's win.

"His batting was excellent. Yuvi really wanted to do well and it was important for the team that he got back his form. The way he was batting, he was enjoying it," the Indian skipper said.

About the nail-biting final moments of India's run chase, Dhoni said he asked tail-ender Ishant Sharma to see off the last two balls from slinger Lasith Malinga.

"I thought that Harbhajan and me would do it. But once Bhajji got out, I knew Malinga would bowl yorkers. I told Ishant not to lift the bat so that in the next over I will be there and we can get the chance to score those three runs," he said.

Dhoni said despite significant contributions from Yuvraj, Irfan Pathan and himself, Rohit Sharma's innings of 24 was crucial as it laid the platform for the rest.

"We are missing out Rohit. He played brilliantly. He set the platform for everyone," the Ranchi batsman said. (Agencies)