Gritty Yuvraj fails to stop Aussie rampage

Hyderabad:India could not produce the superlative performance they needed to defeat world champions Australia and conceded a 0-2 lead in the seven-match ODI series against Australia.

A determined yet classy 121 from 115 balls from stylish batsman Yuvraj Singh failed to get India past the post as the hosts fell short by 47 runs in the third match here on Friday.

Andrew Symonds bludgeoned his way to 89 runs from just 67 balls as the visitors put up a commanding 290-7 before India were bowled out for 243 with 2.2 overs remaining.

India were off to a sordid start to their run chase when opener Gautam Gambhir was trapped leg before for six off paceman Brett Lee, and the first blow was rubbed in with the dismissals of Robin Uthappa and Rahul Dravid in quick succession as both the batsmen departed for nought. The opening pair of Sachin Tendulkar and Gambhir failed for the third time in a row in the series.

Tottering at 13-3, Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh held the fort for the Indians, not allowing the Australian bowlers to dictate terms by bringing up their 50-run partnership in 81 balls.

Tendulkar was at his crafty best as he coupled his trademark straight drives with deft paddle strokes to frustrate the Australians, much to the delight of the 39000-strong crowd and Telugu superstar Venkatesh. Yuvraj Singh, who quietly worked his way when Tendulkar was on song, came into his own later on.

India were dealt their fourth blow when Tendulkar moved away from his stumps only to be castled by spinner Brad Hogg after a gritty 43 from 71 balls, as a 95-run fourth wicket stand was brought to an end. India, however, were on par with Australia at this stage.

Yuvraj Singh, who broke batting records by the heaps at the recently concluded T20 World Championship, displayed signs of his prowess as he put on the accelerator to reach his fifty from just 61 balls. The southpaw opened up to strike a flurry of boundaries to get India in the hunt for the series leveller,

But captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was involved in a 65-run stand with his deputy, was out caught behind for 33, which was followed by the dismissal of Rohit Sharma, who fell for an ambitious hook to James Hopes. Irfan Pathan, too, followed back into the pavilion as India's chances of drawing level in the series dwindled.

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