Yuvraj Singh's all-round effort in vain

Yuvraj Singh did all he could to keep Pune Warriors' winning start to the 2011 IPL intact, but it wasn't enough. Despite Yuvraj scoring an aggressive half-century to lead his team to a formidable total and taking four wickets in the chase, Delhi Daredevils prevailed at the DY Patil Stadium, and Yuvraj had to be content with the Man-of-the-Match award.

He began his innings at the fall of Mithun Manhas' wicket when Pune were 82 for 2 in the ninth over. He watched Jesse Ryder perish after a half-century and Robin Uthappa fall cheaply. Delhi were fighting back after a ragged performance and Yuvraj remained steady through James Hopes' tight spell.

Yuvraj began to change gears against the left-arm spin of Shahbaz Nadeem, sweeping for four before stepping out to hoist the ball over the midwicket boundary. He had a bit of luck when a top-edge off Umesh Yadav flew over the wicketkeeper for four, but there was no luck involved in the imperious six he hit off Irfan Pathan over long-off. Pune, however, were losing momentum at the other end and Yuvraj needed to produce an explosive finish.

In the final over, after taking two off Ashok Dinda's second ball and top-edging the third over the wicketkeeper for four again, Yuvraj sent the last three flying into the crowds at midwicket and long-on with powerful swings off the front foot. Pune plundered 26 runs off the 20th.

Delhi were steaming along in their chase when Yuvraj brought himself on in the 13th over. With his third and fourth balls, he got rid of Pathan and Naman Ojha, continuing his bowling form from the World Cup. He came on again in the 19th over, after Aaron Finch had swung the game Delhi's way, and took two more wickets to give Pune an outside chance. He finished with 4 for 29, but Delhi ultimately got over the line.