Yuvraj can't find an answer to seven consecutive defeats

Press Trust of India, Mohali, May 8: Yuvraj Singh is relieved after arresting the slide of his side but can't believe that Pune Warriors suffered seven straight defeats despite having a lot of talent in the squad.

 

Warriors beat Kings XI Punjab by five wickets and Yuvraj top scored for his side with 16-ball 35 at his "original" home ground.

 

"We were looking for that win. Fortunately or unfortunately it came at my home place. When I look at my team I can't imagine how we lost so many games with that talent. We just haven't clicked," Yuvraj said after the match.

 

The left-hander vowed to return stronger next season.

 

"We had energy on the field and didn't allow their batsmen to get away. 120 was a great bowling effort. The pitch was dry underneath and it was nice to get them to 120."

 

"We have learnt from our mistakes and hopefully can come back stronger in the next season," he said.

 

Tall leg-spinner Rahul Sharma won his second consecutive Man-of-the-match award as he yet again was exceptional, giving away just 17 runs in his four overs apart from taking two wickets.

 

"It feels very nice to get two successive man of the match award. Yuvraj has been supporting me a great deal. It feels good to do well for the match. I am just concentrating on basics and bowl wicket to wicket," he said.

 

When asked what was the plan to get Adam Gilchrist out, he replied," The plan was to try to bowl few full deliveries and try a googly. It worked."

 

Gilchrist said they did not put enough runs on the board.

 

"A score of 150 would have been a decent battle as it was getting slower and lower. We didn't build enough partnerships. I don't think we were unsure of how hard we go; we just took the wrong options. I took a wrong option when Valthaty was going so well. Rahul Sharma bowled very well; all the bowlers did well. Both sides batted with lack of confidence," he said.

 

Asked if he was still hopeful of making the play-offs as they have to win all the remaining five matches, the Australian said, "We have to start winning. Last year I was in a team to win four in a row but we have to win one first."