Mumbai, Jan 12: Playing a match after more than two-and-a-half months, Yuvraj Singh made 62 but, more importantly, fielded for 50 overs in a local match here today. The aggressive middle-order batsman was satisfied with his outing but said he did not want to rush things. "I was feeling good. You can't expect a miracle in one day. I have to take it game by game. I expect to get back to my best slowly," he said after the match at the Bandra-Kurla Complex here. "I was very happy with the outcome today. It is looking good for me," said the left-hander who played in a game featuring Mumbai's under-19 cricketers.
"I trained really hard, knew I will do well. First I made an effort of fielding 50 overs, (to see) whether I can bat after getting tired. It went off well," said the Indian middle-order batsman who has not played since October-end last year. This was the first match for Yuvraj since he tore his left knee ligament on the eve of India's crucial league game against Australia at Mohali. He has undergone treatment from cricket board physician Anant Joshi and his physiotherapist son Mithun Joshi. Though he felt no pain today, Yuvraj said he needed to play a few more matches to regain 100 per cent match fitness. He was not sure when he can make a comeback to top-level cricket after his long injury lay-off.
"There is no pain. It takes a couple of matches to get back to 100 per cent match fitness. This was the first game. A couple of more and I am sure I will get better," he said. "It is too early to say when I can come back. This is just the first match. I'll probably decide after playing a few more practice matches. (Indian team physio) John Gloster's report will go (to the board)." Yuvraj, who is to join the Indian team's short camp at Nagpur ahead of the one-day series against the West Indies, said he had discussed a few things he needed and wanted to do in the match with Gloster at the ground before the tie.
"I discussed a few things I needed to do and wanted to do in the game. I am going to be joining the team in the camp so, hopefully, we can improve on that." "I have worked drills and agility in the past few months, will do more drills in the camp," he said. "I can go full out. It takes a bit of time to return to full form after any injury. But I'm sure I'll get there," the star batsman added. (Agencies)
