Sport - Cricket

Dravid leads India `A' into final

MUMBAI, FEB. 10. Skipper Rahul Dravid came up with an outstanding effort to steer India `A' to a tournament high 294 for nine, as India `B' slumped to 204 all out in 36.5 overs in the Challenger Series on Wednesday.

A busy man right through the course of his innings, Dravid was brilliant in making 115 in a little over one-and-a-half hours.

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The target set by India `A' was quite formidable, even though the pitch was behaving at its best and Robin Uthappa (66, 48b, 12x4) was in full flow.

Joined by V.V.S. Laxman, after the fall of Gautam Gambhir's wicket, the India under-19's star opening batsman sustained the scoring rate at almost six an over. Laxman was as usual caressing the ball off his front foot, but once these two departed, India B's chances of making a match of it rested on Sehwag's shoulders.

India `B' had to reach the target in under 47.3 overs to make the final. In the end, it was beaten hollow with Mongia and Kartik sharing the spoils.

The scores: India `A': 294.

India `B': G. Gambhir c Kaarthick b R.P. Singh 3, R. Uthappa lbw b Kartik 66, V.V.S. Laxman c Kartik b Paul 27, V. Sehwag c Jadhav b Mongia 26, A.T. Rayudu c R.P. Singh b Mongia 36, R. Gavaskar lbw b Kartik 1, P. Patel (run out) 8, R. Powar c & b Mongia 3, J. Sharma (not out) 4, A. Nehra c Mongia b Pathan 0, A. Bhandari c Mongia b Kartik 10; Extras (b-2, lb-2, w-10, nb-6): 20; Total (in 36.5 overs) 204.

Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-98, 3-129, 4-143, 5-152, 6-172, 7-178, 8-191, 9-193.

India `A' bowling: Zaheer 6-0-45-0, R.P. Singh 6-0-38-1, Paul 4-0-32-1, Mongia 10-0-47-3, Kartik 5.5-1-26-3, Y. Pathan 5-0-12-1. — Our Special Correspondent

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