Yuvraj

Calcutta: Yuvraj Singh has been touched by former England captain David Gower’s compliment that, currently, he’s batting better than the legendary Brian Lara.

“That’s the nicest (compliment) I’ve received' I’m touched,” the in-form Yuvraj told The Telegraph from Guwahati on Saturday evening.

He added: “Of course, it’s going to take me time to reach or come close to where Lara is, but what Gower has said will serve as an inspiration'”

Having himself been an exceptional left-hander, Gower praised Yuvraj in his latest column (published on Saturday) in the following manner: “He has that high back lift which reminds me of Brian Lara and he is actually batting better than Lara at the moment.”

Yuvraj has been having a phenomenal 2005-06 and with five ODIs remaining before the season ends, has struck five hundreds, five fifties and three forties in 29 innings.

He stayed unbeaten on seven occasions.

Among other things, this fantastic run has made Yuvraj a strong contender for the International Cricket Council’s ODI Player of the Year award.

Last year, it went to Kevin Pietersen. In fact, he’d bagged another award as well ' Emerging Player of the Year.

The world body’s awards for 2005-06 are going to be presented either before/during the October-November Champions Trophy in India. Mumbai is the likely venue.

The awards got instituted in 2004.