Virender Sehwag slammed a century off 91 balls but ended up on the losing side, as India XI lost to Rajasthan Cricket Association XI in a warm-up match ahead of the Champions Trophy, at the Neerja Modi ground in Jaipur on Wednesday.
The opposition comprised a few India players as well after the Indian think-tank decided to mix the India XI and RCA XI squads to make the practice game more competitive.
Batting first, India XI scored 296 for 5 in 50 overs, but RCA XI, which had Mahendra Singh Dhoni (98) and Suresh Raina (78) in its ranks, overhauled the target, scoring 299 for 3 in 49.1 overs.
However, if the batting of the India stars would have left the team management smiling, Irfan Pathan's form with the ball will surely give nightmares to Rahul Dravid and Co.
Pathan was spanked severely by the India XI batsmen; he conceded 83 runs in 10 overs. He, however, did no harm to his reputation as a batsman, chipping in with a 49.
Harbhajan Singh also scored a cameo 26 not out to contribute to RCA's seven-wicket win.
Earlier, Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar (39) set off their side to a rollicking start. Sehwag was in more destructive mood though, slamming 13 boundaries and two sixes in his belligerent knock before retiring on 107.
Tendulkar, who struck five fours in his 45-ball knock, was caught by Pathan off Munaf Patel, who was the most impressive among the bowlers, returning figures of 10-1-43-3.
Dravid and Yuvraj Singh also used the opportunity to get into the groove ahead of their Champions Trophy campaign, which begins with a match against England in Jaipur on Sunday.
Dhoni, who also batted for India XI, scored 17 off 15 balls, inclusive of two sixes, before retiring, while comeback man Dinesh Mogia scored 27 off 24 balls, inclusive of two fours.
The Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman, who was tried as an opener by RCA XI hit 17 fours and a six in his 82-ball knock before retiring on 98.
Raina too was impressive, hitting seven fours and a six in his 78-run knock. However, it did not turn out to be a fruitful day for Mohammad Kaif, who is trying to cement a place in the middle order. He was run out for three.
R P Singh, who was hit for 65 runs in his first seven overs, finished off with figures of 85 for one. Local boy Sumit Mathur, making a comeback after an injury, put up a fine show, giving away 32 runs in his seven overs.
