Colombo: Comeback star Yuvraj Singh, MoM in what turned out to be India's last appearance in the 2012 World Twenty20, spoke to The Telegraph at the Taj Samudra on Wednesday evening.
The following are excerpts
Q How would you describe your feelings as you prepare to leave for home?
A To talk from the team's perspective, we did very well... We won four of the five games, which has to be regarded as good. In those four matches, we bowled out the opposition... All 40 wickets were taken... It's just unfortunate that we couldn't qualify for the semi-finals. One is very disappointed.
Pakistan's big win over Australia upset calculations...
Yes... Pakistan won by 32 runs, changing the equation in a massive way... Thirty-two is a huge margin in T20... But it can happen in cricket and we've got to move on.
After winning the inaugural edition (2007), we've failed to go beyond the Super Eights in three World Twenty20 meets in a row. Why?
This time, we played very well in the second-round (Super Eights), losing only to Australia... In 2009 and 2010, though, we just didn't play well. I wish the points could have been carried over from the first-round... Having said that, we knew the rules of the tournament.
What's there for India to learn from this World Twenty20?
That in the Super Eights, you need to win every game!
Personally, how do you look back on this edition?
I had a good tournament, got better with each match... I ran better, I fielded well... But I accept I didn't score the runs expected from me... I didn't really deliver with the bat... I needed to spend time at the wicket.
Are you ready for the ODIs and even Test cricket?
I'll have to assess my fitness in domestic cricket... I'll then know where I stand via-a-vis the longer versions. There's a Duleep Trophy match coming up in three days (North vs West in Chennai) and I've got to quickly take a call on playing that game.
When will you decide?
In the next 24 hours or so.
Today, how do you look back on three weeks of international cricket, from the time of your return to the India dressing room?
It has been a good period... I've worked very hard... It has been tough on the body, but the body has definitely improved. The more time I give myself, the better I'll be. Feels good that I got the MoM award against South Africa.
Getting back to the World Twenty20, the semi-finalists are known. How do you expect the business end of the tournament to unfold?
Must I answer when we're not there? I expect Sri Lanka to beat Pakistan and I feel the West Indies will get the better of Australia... That's my gut feeling.
If it does come to that, who'll win the Sri Lanka-West Indies final?
Probably Sri Lanka, for they're playing at home... But the West Indies could pull it off too... Look, it's hard, very hard to predict in T20.
Who has stood out in this World Twenty20?
Shane Watson, both with bat and ball, and our own Virat (Kohli), who had an excellent run with the bat... The lad was outstanding.
The final one... Will you be there at the Grand Prix of India, later this month?
(Grins) Absolutely... I'm a huge fan of Ferrari, so I'll be rooting for Fernando Alonso. Obviously, I'll also be cheering for Sahara Force India. I'm not going to miss the GP.