Off to a good start in Twenty20s after the"shattering" Test debacle, India batsman Yuvraj Singh said he wasconfident that the team would carry the momentum not only into the second andfinal tie against England here in west India on Saturday but also into theupcoming series against arch-foes Pakistan.
"In Twenty20s and ODIs, we have done well against them Hopefully, we cancarry the momentum, particularly with the important series against Pakistancoming up," said Yuvraj after India's five-wicket win over England in Puneon Thursday night.
The all-rounder played a key role, taking 3 for 19 to half England's progressin batting and then smashed 38 in 21 balls with three sixes and two fours tohelp India overhaul the visitors' score of 157 for 6 with five wickets tospare.
India will take on Pakistan in a two-match T20 series commencing at Bangaloreon December 25. The second game of that series is scheduled at Ahmedabad onDecember 28.
This would be followed by a three-match ODI series against the neighbours fromDecember 30 this year to January 6, 2013 after which India would engage Englandin a best-of-five ODI series from January 11 to 27.
"Losing 4-0 (in Test series in England last year) and 2-1 (recently in thefour-match Test series at home) was quite shattering. England played bettercricket but we beat them 5-0 in the one-dayers (last year)," said Yuvrajwho was part of the Test squad that got beaten by England.
Yuvraj said the younger lot of players improved the fielding of the team.
"It's important to win the first game and get a good start. If we lose weare again trying to win back. With youngsters coming in the fielding is muchbetter and this win also gives momentum and more confidence for the rest of theseries and Pakistan," he added.
Yuvraj, who has been unable to replicate his superb show in T20s and ODIs atthe Test level, said the shortest form of the game offered him a chance to playfreely.
"When T20 comes I play a bit openly. I enjoyed my batting and my bowlingwas effective and contributed to the team."
The left-handed player, who resumed his cricket career after undergoingtreatment for cancer, said the spinners, including himself, had applied thebrakes in time to halt England's flying start in the first game in Pune.
"When the openers start hitting it's always a worry. May be we could havechased 180190 but our spinners did a good job I also bowled well and the 2-3wickets broke the momentum," Yuvraj said.
He was as flummoxed as many how his part-time left arm spin is so effective,but gave a clue saying he slowed down the pace of his bowling to reap richrewards on Thursday night.
"Even I am not sure why I take so many wickets. I do my best. I wasbowling faster initially and it was easier for the batsmen so I slowed it downa bit."
Yuvraj, who returned after recovering from a rare germ cell cancer, said he ishappy to play for the country again whatever be the form of the game.
"I need to look forward in life. I am happy to be alive and proud to beplaying for India again whether it is T20 or ODI or Test," he said.
Asked about his fitness, Yuvraj said he was getting close to what he was beforethe disease was diagnosed.
"One year back I was in the hospital. I can't compare it at all but I haveto work harder and more hours to be where I was. I have to also get theconfidence of winning for India," he said.
Yuvraj felt the best way forward for India was to include more youngsters inthe squad.
"Youngsters coming in is good for the team. We have (Parvinder) Awana andBhuvneshwar Kumar who have done well.
(Suresh) Raina, (Virat) Kohli and Rohit (Sharma) have been part of the Indianteam and I look like a veteran. We have been giving opportunities to youngstersand that is the way to go," he said.