Deepika Padukone has flown to Australia to cheer 'close friend' Yuvraj Singh [Images] in the ongoing four-match India-Australia Test series.

The Om Shanti Om actress will also celebrate her 22nd birthday on January 5 with the cricketer.

Deepika is expected to spend a month in Australia for the shooting of her Yash Raj film. But the actress left Mumbai two days before the start of her shooting schedule (which will begin on January 7) to spend time with Yuvraj.

"She wanted to cheer him up and also spend quality time with him on her birthday," our source tells Gullu.

Yuvi would definitely need the cheering after his dismal performance against the Aussies, having managed just 17 runs in three innings so far.

Deepika and Yuvraj have been linked up by the media on numerous occasions, though the couple have always mainatined that they are 'good friends.' Before Yuvraj came into the picture, Deepika was paired up with Indian captain M S Dhoni [Images], but she denied that as well.

Deepika's Yash Raj film will costar Ranbir Kapoor [Images], and will be directed by Siddharth Anand (of Salaam Namaste).