The only way to really judge Yuvraj Singh on his comeback was if and when he got an opportunity with the bat. The first two T20s against Australia went by without the left-hander getting a hit out in the middle, and then MS Dhoni, with the series won, decided to hold himself back and let the left-hander finish off a tense game for India.
With Raina making the target of 198 look like 148 at the other end, all Yuvraj really had to do was take a single every time he was on strike. However, much like in that ill-fated World T20 2014 final against Sri Lanka, getting bat on ball proved to be a tougher proposition than expected.
The first two balls faced by Yuvraj were dots, and then in the third he just about managed a single to point, before another dot followed. Yuvraj's struggles continued in the next couple of overs as well, with the left-hander unable to get off strike, when all he needed to do was just that.
With 18 runs required off the final seven balls, India needed a big shot from Yuvraj, or, at the very least, a two, to ensure Raina would go into the final over on strike. However, a little groan went across the Sydney Cricket Ground (well, amongst some of the Indian fans at least) as all Yuvraj could take a single.
That meant the left-hander had to find that mojo of his in the final over, somehow, or India would lose. With a shimmy to the stumps, Yuvraj helped Andrew Tye's first ball to fine-leg for a four, before middling one just over the midwicket ropes for a welcome six. Just like that, Yuvraj's two consecutive boundaries turned the tie around again and India eventually romped to a seven-wicket win.
This innings of 15 from 12 balls (1x4, 1x6) from Yuvraj showed both sides of the argument coin. The first nine balls showed he isn't capable of doing it on the big stage anymore, while the final three suggested otherwise. With Yuvraj showing his bowling chops in this T20 series, there is little doubt that Dhoni could use the veteran's all-round skills, and there really is no better sight in world cricket than Yuvraj in full flow.
Maybe that old form of his will return when he gets more opportunities leading up to the World T20. There is a three match T20 series against Sri Lanka coming up, followed by the Asian Cup, and if Yuvraj can continue showing his finishing skills, while doing the job with the ball and in the field, India will have a match-winner on their hands.
Yuvraj was the major reason behind India winning the 50-over World Cup in 2011 at home; how nice it would be if the left-hander, so popular in these shores, could put on an encore come March for the World T20.
