Media criticism affected Yuvraj's batting: Murali

Middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh will soon rediscover his touch and play an important role for India in the next year's World Cup in the sub-continent, feels legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

"Yuvraj is a great batsman. All cricketers go through bad phases. I think, the media has to be careful in criticising him. This has put a lot of pressure on him and he is reacting (affecting his batting)," Muralitharan said in Chennai on Monday. 

"But he will certainly make an impact at the 2011 World Cup," he added.

Muralitharan was speaking on the sidelines of a function, where he was felicitated for becoming the first cricketer to scalp 800 Test wickets. 

In the just concluded tri-nation ODI series in Sri Lanka, Yuvraj had averaged only 18.75, having scored 75 runs in four matches with 38 as his highest score.