India v Australia, T20 World Cup, Mid-Innings Report: Yuvraj Singh Masterclass Gives India Upper Hand

A marvellous innings from Yuvraj Singh hauled India to a commanding total of 159-7 in their final group match against Australia at the T20 World Cup.

The all-rounder scored 60 off 43 balls and shared a partnership of 84 with MS Dhoni, dragging their side from a perilous score of 66-4.

Yuvraj was savage in his treatment of Australian left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc, who was wayward throughout despite claiming the wicket of Dhoni in his final over.

Starc finished with 1-36 in his four overs, and it could have been worse had a waist-high full toss been called late on.

Australian's part-time spinners Brad Hodge and Glenn Maxwell both bowled well, Hodge picking up Rohit Sharma with a loopy off-break in the first over of the innings and Maxwell finishing with figures of 0-20 from his four-over spell.

Shane Watson was expensive early on, but finished off by bowling a good final over as the Indians swung the bat.

Indian opener Ayinkha Rahane, deputising for Shikhar Dhawan, departed without making a decisive total, as did Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina. However the partnership between Yuvraj and Dhoni, who struck 24 off 20 balls, hauled their side back into the ascendancy.

Australia kept things relatively tight in the last couple of overs, and will feel they have a genuine chance of victory on a good batting surface – particularly as India have not yet bowled second in this tournament and have been forced to alter the game plane which has brought them three wins out of three.

However India, who have yet to concede a total of more than 138 thus far, will feel a total of 159 is more than enough for their spinners to defend.