SPORTS

India seniors win warm-up match

Source:PTI
September 08, 2006 21:01 IST

India's senior batsmen got into top form ahead of the tri-series in Malaysia but Suresh Raina had an injury scare after being hit on jaw in a warm-up match in Chennai on Friday.

India Seniors, led by Rahul Dravid, asserted their batting might as they overhauled a readjusted target of 350 with four wickets in hand for a comprehensive victory over India Juniors.

The Juniors had made 274 for eight after batting first, but Dravid reset the target for his team who had reached 246 for two in 34 overs.

His players responded brilliantly by accumulating 104 runs in the last 16 overs, eventually making 353 for four.

Raina deflected a Ajit Agarkar full toss on to his lower jaw and was seen bleeding as the ball went on to the stumps.

The Uttar Pradeshi left-hander required two stitches and the doctors present at the ground did the needful, Indian team's biomechanist Ian Frazer said.

Raina did not take the field with his teammates in the second half of the practice match but is likely to play the second warm-up game on Saturday.

Sachin Tendulkar, who opened the innings with Dravid, slammed four boundaries before misreading a Rudra Pratap Singh delivery to be clean bowled for 18. He faced 20 balls in his 36-minute stay at the crease.

Dravid made 59 out of 51 balls with dozen hits to the fence and Irfan Pathan enthralled the crowd with his aggressive strokes that got him 68 with seven fours and four huge sixes.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni then kept the 5,000-odd spectators cheering for him as he went on to make 52 out of only 38 balls and his only six on the long on region travelled over 50 yards into the stands.

Yuvraj Singh was conspicuous by his absence due to 'mild fever' and is expected to arrive in Chennai on Saturday from Chandigarh.

For India juniors V R V Singh remained the chief wicket-taker with 3 for 55. R P Singh and captain Dinesh Mongia claimed one wicket each while Sreesanth and T P Singh went wicketless.

Earlier, the Juniors, electing to bat, made a solid start with openers Dinesh Kaarthik (57) and Robin Uthappa (52) adding 123 runs in 19 overs.

Pathan averaged eight runs an over and claimed Rohit Sharma for his lone wicket, while Ramesh Powar was the most economical with 3-39.

The triseries, to be held in Kuala Lumpur from September 12 to 24, pits India against world champions Australia and Champions Trophy winners West Indies.

Source: PTI
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