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India 'A' Defeat India 'B'

Monday, September 15 2003

After gruelling training camps and preliminary matches in the TVS Challenger Cup, it was down to two teams comprising of some of the most talented and naturally skilled cricketer's in India today.

The final between a Tendulkar and Kumble powered India 'A' against a youthful India 'B' proved to be one of the entertaining contests seen by domestic audiences in Bangalore. India 'A' skipper Anil Kumble won the toss on his home ground and had no hesitation and rightly so, batted first.

A formidible opening duo of Gautam Gambhir and Indian dynamo, Sachin Tendulkar got things rollicking. Gambhir and Tendulkar played shot for shot in competition with each other, as Agarkar and Bhandari were left helpless early on. Part time bowler, Dinesh Mongia struck however with the wicket of Gambhir for 37.

At 2/95, Mumbai kingpin Wasim Jaffer was dismissed by JP Yadav for a quickfire 11. Despite wickets falling around him, Sachin Tendulkar upped the tempo and soon registered a scintillating half century. Mohammad Kaif provided solid support at the other end, by taking the quick singles, and giving strike to the dominant Tendulkar.

Tendulkar, though on 88 was dismissed by talented reserve off spinner Sarandeep Singh. Tendulkar's majestic innings had come to an end, but the entertainment surely didn't. As Kaif fell for 38, Sridharan Sriram and Rohan Gavaskar gave the Bangalore crowd entertainment galore.

With booming boundaries and well timed strokes, the in form Sriram finished with 70 off 55 balls, and Rohan Gavaskar with 50 of 45 balls, which left India 'A' with a strong total of 6/314.

The chase by India 'B' didn't begin too smoothly as SS Das and Vijay Bharadwaj were run out and bowled by Irfan Pathan in quick succession. At 3/58, JP Yadav (23) gave his wicket away to Aavishkar Salvi. Captain courageous, Rahul Dravid and the in form Yuvraj Singh tried to rescue India 'B' and guide them to a near impossible task.

The pair put on a 95 run partnership, before Dravid was bowled by his good friend Sachin Tendulkar for 27. In form keeper batsman Thilak Naidu didn't last long, as he was run out by Rohan Gavaskar for 1. Agarkar (1) and Yuvraj (47) were next dismissed by Kumble and Powar respectively.

Despite being beaten in all fields of the game by India 'A', Mumbai all rounder Sairaj Bahatule gave the Bangalore crowd even more blazing entertainment. The blazing strokes left the India 'A' bowlers somewhat bemused, as Bahatule took the fight to India 'A'.

Despite a brave effort from Bahatule, he ran out of partners as he finished on 55* off 44 balls. As India 'B' were all out for 215.


Brief Score Summary:

India 'A': 314/6 (Tendulkar 88, Sriram 70, Gavaskar 50, Bhandari 2/48, Yadav 1/33)

India 'B': 215 All Out (Bahatule 55*, Yuvraj 47, Powar 3/29, Tendulkar 1/22)

India 'A' Win By 99 Runs and Win the TVS Challenger Trophy

Cricket Web Player(s) of the Match: SR Tendulkar, S Sriram

Cricket Web Player(s) of the Series: Yuvraj Singh

Posted by Sangrah