Six sixes in the penultimate over of India's innings by Yuvraj Singh proved the difference between his side and England in a thrilling Super Eight match in Durban, in which India prevailed by eighteen runs.
Yuvraj's assault, which saw him register a fifty in twelve balls helped India to 218 for 4 after Gautam Gambhir (58) and Virender Sehwag (68) had put on 136 for the first wicket. That gave India the start they needed and laid the platform for Yuvraj Singh's heroics - he finished unbeaten on 58 from 16 balls, hitting seven sixes in total.
Stuart Broad was the unlucky bowler, and whatever he tried in the nineteenth over, Yuvraj had the same answer to every ball in an extraordinary display of power and poise.
England, despite being unable to progress whatever the result, threw everything into the run chase and the opening pair of Darren Maddy (29) and Vikram Solanki (43), who again kept faultlessly, put on 53 before Irfan Pathan removed both and RP Singh took two wickets to keep England's batsmen in check.
Owais Shah hit 21 from 13 balls and Luke Wright 16 from 9 as the run rate spiralled out of control but for once the batsmen gave a good account of themselves as they fell short of what would have been an international record score batting second.
They closed on a creditable 200 for 6, the first time they broke 200 in the tournament.
India's performance has kept alive their hopes of a shot at a semi-final berth, with the denouement set to be played out tomorrow at Cape Town when they face hosts South Africa.
© Cricket World 2007
