Yuvraj Singh dissatisfied at missing double century

India’s flamboyant left-hander Yuvraj Singh, who smashed a majestic 169 on Day 1 of the third Test match against Pakistan, said he was eyeing a double hundred at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore was thwarted at missing out.

"I really would have liked to get to the 200 mark as I was fully set before a lapse in concentration did me in. In fact I was pretty confident of doing well if I could stay at the wicket for some time and I think with Sourav (Ganguly) still there (batting) we are in a good position," Yuvraj said at the close of play on Day 1.

India’s ODI vice-captain said he was initially nervous having to bat at a tough time with India reeling at 61/4.

"I was really nervous when I went in to bat at 61- four as I have not played in this kind of a situation before but once I scored my first boundary off Mohammad Sami, I grew in confidence and having a positive mind also helped me to contribute for the team’s cause," said Yuvraj.

Different ball game
Yuvraj said he is still to adjust to the thought of playing in the longer version of the game.

"Test cricket gives me shivers as I am more comfortable with the One-Day stuff but after scoring 169 I am disappointed that I did not convert into a double hundred," Yuvraj said.

Putting to rest the speculations that he is disappointed not to have played in the first two Test matches in this series, despite being in tremendous form in the One-Day series earlier, Yuvraj said, it is difficult to replace any of the senior players who have a very good Test record.

"I should blame myself for this situation as I did not do well in the West Indies in 2004 when the others did quite well. I also know that it is very difficult to replace proven performers like Sourav, Dravid or Laxman. So I will have to bide my time and utilise the chances I get," Yuvraj reasoned.

Record partnershipThe partnership between Yuvraj and Ganguly (300 runs) is now the second highest partnership between left-handers for the fifth-wicket in Test cricket.

Complimenting Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj said he really enjoys playing with his mentor and former Indian skipper as both their games are very similar.

"I enjoy batting with Sourav and it is truly exciting to bat with him may be because our styles are similar and both like to dominate the bowling. I am really happy that the team is in a good position (365 for five) at the end of the first day," Yuvraj said.

Pinpointing debutant Yasir Arafat, who reduced the hosts to 61 for four before the two left-handers did the repair work, as the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, Yuvraj said, he was getting an appreciable swing in the morning.

"I think Arafat bowled very well and was swinging the ball quite appreciably when I went into bat and I knew I could come up with a good score as long as I stayed in the middle because in a Test match this is a big advantage as you get enough time to settle down before opening up," Yuvraj observed.

"Anyway it does not matter who is bowling when the opponents are reduced to 61-four because it is always a tough task to rebuild the innings," he added.

Being cautious to name a safe first innings score, Yuvraj said, if the Pakistanis manage to restrict the hosts to 400 runs the match would still be open.

"If the Pakistanis restrict us to 400 runs, the game is still on but with Sourav still in the middle, if we can score 500-plus then we have a clear advantage," Yuvraj said.

Picking the back foot punch to cover region as his best shot of the day, Yuvraj said, he would rate this knock quite high as 169 was lot of runs. Incidentally Yuvraj’s all three tons have been scored against arch rivals Pakistan.