A grade display by B grade batsmen

A grade display by B grade batsmen
Press Trust of India

Chennai, February 14: Robin Singh-led India B put aside intial hiccups and posted a decent total of 284 in 49.3 overs against India A as Dinesh Mongia and Amay Khurasia hit classy half-centuries in the final league match Challenger series here this evening.

Having the likes of Rahul Dravid, Sadagopan Ramesh, S Sriram, Jacob Martin in their ranks, India A could strive for a win, but victory for India B would leave the championship interestingly poised with a three-way tie.

Saurav Ganguly-led India Seniors, the third team in the group, too have a win and the organisers may have to identify the top two teams for tomorrow’s final on run quotient.

Electing to bat, India B were in deep trouble having lost the wickets of both openers JP Yadav (14) and Sachin Tendulkar (24), and Mohd Kaif (5) with only 49 runs on the board in 8.1 overs. Dinesh Mongia (83), Amay Khurasia (90) and Robin Singh (30 no) played patiently to resurrect India B from virtual shambles even as Venkatesh Prasad became wrecker-in-chief with 4-48.

Tendulkar was the first to go, falling prey to Prasad’s slower delivery as he attempted a straight drive without moving his feet. His 24 contained five fours.Yadav and Kaif added 15 runs before the former’s mistimed drive to covers off Prasad went straight to RS Sodhi. Ajit Agarkar dismissed Kaif with the first ball of his fifth over. Kaif’s intended pull off Agarkar was top-edged for a straight forward catch to Rahul Sanghvi at mid-on.

A centurion yesterday against the India Seniors, Dinesh Mongia exhibited his capabilities in an excellent manner with five national selectors watching him from the stands. A left-handed batsman and a useful left-arm spinner, Mongia and Amay Khurasia, who failed yesterday making just one, brought respectability to India B innings showing their skills against both medium pace and spin.

Sodhi became the target for both batsmen as he was hit for away 30 runs in just three overs forcing captain Rahul Dravid to withdraw him. Hrishikesh Kanitkar came in place of Sodhi but the batsmen still could not be contained as they gained strength and confidence on a wicket, which offered good bounce for those willing to extract it.

However, leg spinner Balaji Rao, who is tipped for a Test spot against the visiting Australians, was unimpressive as he showed ‘variety’ bowling six balls differently and it was a task for Dravid to set the field for him. Khurasia and Mongia stuck a purple patch and the 100 partnership came in just 72 minutes off 101 balls and the 150 mark came at a much faster rate (92 mins 123 balls).