RAJKOT (India), Nov 15: Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh hopes his match-winning century in the first One-day International against England will turn around a poor run of form that nearly cost him his place in the team.

The 26-year-old left-hander scored just 72 runs in five outings during the one-day series in Sri Lanka in August and subsequently lost his vice-captaincy.

On Friday, 138 not out off just 78 balls, he struck the second fastest one-day century by an Indian to put the match out of England’s reach as the hosts posted 387 for five for their best one-day total against a Test-playing nation.

“I have got a good start to the series and would like to continue this form as I have not been in good form of late,” Yuvraj told a news conference.

“I think this is one of my best knocks in one-day cricket. I timed the ball very well and am happy with the effort,” added the left-hander, who was not part of the 2-0 Test series victory over Australia.

“Proving to anyone was not my issue. My issue was to prove to myself that I was good enough to play at this level,” said the middle-order batsman who pulled a muscle in his back and employed a runner.

On his availability for the second match at Indore on Monday, he said: “If I am fully fit I will play the game if not, no. Gut feeling is good, I am positive.”

England lost by 158 runs after they folded for 229 but Yuvraj predicted the tourists would hit back.

“It’s not easy playing in India but England has got a fantastic attack,” he said. “We played them according to a plan.”—Reuters