Guwahati prepares to host series decider With the five-match one-day series tied 2-2, the Indians and the Zimbabweans have everything to play for in the final encounter at Guwahati. The splendid performances from Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif in the Hyderabad one-dayer must have given fresh heart to Sourav Ganguly and the rest of the Indian team. The fielding too has perked up considerably with the induction of these youngsters. Tight bowling and fielding, then, could again win the day as the Guwahati wicket has not hosted any run fests yet. The Zimbaweans, for their part, are looking to salvage pride with a one-day series win that could make up for the disappointments they have suffered in the sub-continent, beginning with the series against Sri Lanka. The unearthing of new heroes in Douglas Marillier and Douglas Hondo, and the presence of an old and trusted hand in Andy Flower, means that they have the resources to upset the Indian calculations. It certainly should be a gripping contest..

Yuvraj: This was the best innings of my career Yuvraj Singh certainly carried an onerous responsibility when he walked out to bat at Hyderabad - India were 132 for 4 chasing 241 for victory and the match was hanging in the balance. On top of it, the youngster was making a comeback to the Indian one-day team and had just two international games to prove himself before the squad for the tour of the West Indies was announced. But in the course of a scorching unbeaten 80 off 60 balls, Yuvraj proceeded to re-ignite his career and with it India’s hopes of winning the series. After his match-winning innings, Yuvraj said, “This was the best innings of my career, considering the team was under pressure and 1-2 down in the series.” He admitted that he was “was under a bit of pressure but there was also this urge to prove a point.” “The instruction for me was to stay till the end and play along the ground. I told Mohammed Kaif that we formed the last recognised pair and had to be there till at least the 45th over. There was also this plan to stick to the basics. It clicked,” Yuvraj continued. “I had been in good touch of late and striking the ball nicely. The pitch here was a bit slow so I was cautious to begin with but once I got used to the pace of the wicket, things became easier,” the youngster added. Sourav Ganguly has always had faith in the youngster’s abilities and was quick to praise Yuvraj as a gifted cricketer. “He has always been a good batsman, saves 15 runs on the field and can bowl when required. A special player,” the Indian skipper said.

Hyderabadis let their hair down The over 21,000 spectators who thronged the Lal Bahadur Singh Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday had a carnival time. Despite the heavy security blanket thrown around the stadium on a day that witnessed the latest act in the Ayodhya controversy, the fans were allowed easy access to the venue. And they trooped into the stadium at their colourful best - tricolours in hand and sporting broad smiles despite having to undergo a few hardships as no water bottles were allowed inside. Their participation in proceedings grew when the Indian chase bagan. An added feature this time around was the music blaring out intermittently - the DJ kept the crowd in good humour with a perfect blend of English and Hindi remixes in the little time possible between overs, during the intervals and when wickets fell. The loudest cheer was of course reserved for the local lad VVS Laxman, but his early departure meant that Yuvraj Singh became the toast of the town as the evening progressed.

Want to be the next Cardus? Send in your articles to the Writer in You. Click Here Put all that "useless" knowledge to the test - play CricWhiz . Click Here Select your Canon Cricket Moment and win exciting prizes. Click Here