Yuvraj slams 2nd successive ton as India posts 292/9

Indore, Nov 17 (UNI) Yuvraj Singh hit a splendid century as Indian batsmen fought back to post a respectable total of 292 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the second one-dayer against England at the Maharani Usha Raje Cricket Ground here today.

Yuvraj (118; 122 balls), Gautam Gambhir (70; 76 balls) and Yusuf Pathan (50 not out; 29 balls) were the only bright spots in the Indian innings as England claimed wickets at regular intervals to restrict their opponents.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni elected to bat after winning the toss but his decision seemed to backfire as the hosts were off to a nightmarish start.

The dangerous Virender Sehwag (1), Suresh Raina (4) and Rohit Sharma (3) departed cheaply as India were reduced to 29/3 in the eighth over.

This brought the in-form Yuvraj to the middle and the explosive left-hander carried on from where he had left off in the first match.

He was given able company by Gambhir and the duo slowly but surely led India to safety. The partnership witnesed some lusty hitting as both batsmen looked to take the battle to the rival camp.

Gambhir was ultimately claimed by England captain Kevin Pietersen in the 30th over but by then the hosts were in a relatively safe position at 163/4. Gambhir's dismissal was more due to his own misjudgement than any special effort from the bowler. The opener attempted to guide a ball which was on the off-stump towards the legside but only managed to drag it onto the stumps.

Yuvraj completed his century soon after but the Indians suffered another jolt in the very next ball when Dhoni was bowled by Paul Collingwood.

Yuvraj (118) followed his captain just four overs later when he lashed out at a ball from Stuart Broad which was wide otside the off-stump and Matt Prior behind the stumps made no mistake.

His innings was studded with 15 magnificent hits to the fence and a couple of towering sixes.

Yusuf Pathan played a hardhitting, quickfire innings down the order and batted out the remaining overs along with the tailenders to ensure a fighting total for India.

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