Chennai, Dec 12: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday compared Yuvraj Singh with iconic Tamil actor Rajinikanth saying that the player had a special match-winning ability.

Excerpts from the media interaction:

On his message to Yuvraj Singh and actor Rajnikanth on their shared birthday (December 12)

Yuvraj is our Rajinikanth. He has come up with brilliant performances not only with the bat but also with the ball, hitting six sixes getting four wickets [on separate occasions] in [the] T20 format and in ODIs. Both [stars] are very similar. In Southern India Rajni Sir is a bigger superstar. I wish them a very Happy Birthday. Hopefully they will keep going […]

On Virender Sehwag hitting a purple patch

A good start is always good for us. When it comes to Virender Sehwag, you cannot really say he is not in form [at a point in time]. He always comes up with a brilliant innings like the one during the one-dayers. [He] is someone really exciting to have at the top of the order. Right from the very start he is very clear in his mind that if [the ball] is in [his] area, he will hit it. He puts pressure on the bowler. In a Test match, if Sehwag stays there for even 30 or 40 overs, he can score a lot of runs. I think it is good to have him. Gautam [Gambhir] and he run really well between the wickets. It is good to have them there; they understand each other well. They play for the same state [in domestic cricket]. Hopefully he will perform to his potential.

On his prediction about the outcome of the series against Australia

It is difficult for me to predict. It will depend on the first 12-15 days that we have got, how we prepare and adapt to the conditions. Most of the batsmen have played there before; it is not their first tour. We are hoping that we will do well there.