Yuvraj smashes double century in Duleep Trophy

 Yuvraj Singh hit a double ton to guide North Zone to 451 against Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinal here Monday.

North Zone started the second day at 346 for four with Yuvraj batting on 133. He piled on 75 more runs before Murali Kartik caught him of his own bowling. In response, Central Zone were 146/5 at stumps Monday.

The southpaw scored at an impressive strike rate of 86.30, which included 33 fours and three sixes. Delhi's Shikhar Dhawan also scored a century, making 121 before he was also caught and bowled by Kartik.

Kartik ended up taking four wickets giving away 120 runs in his 29 overs. Praveen Kumar also clinched four wickets for 92. It was Yuvraj's 19th first-class century.

Yuvraj, 30, who was adjudged man of the tournament in India's World Cup triumph last year, recently recovered from a rare germ cell cancer.

In the recently concluded World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, Yuvraj ended with 66 runs in four innings and claimed eight wickets in five matches, the second highest among Indian bowlers.

His double-century is certain to put him in-line for a recall to the Test squad for the upcoming four-match series against England at home starting in Ahmedabad Nov 15.