Runs galore in A-team clash in Sri Lanka
Anand Vasu - 18 May 2002
With India A and Sri Lanka A slugging it out in a three Test and three
one-day match series, there has been plenty of action from the young guns.
The pitches so far have held out well, serving up some healthy batting
displays. Delhi openers Akash Chopra and Gautham Gambhir began the
run-fest, scoring tons in the tour openers at the Premadasa Stadium in
Colombo. Hrishikesh Kanitkar, the perpetual hero of Indian domestiuc
cricket came close, making 97.
The hosts showed that they were not far behind Michael Vandort responded
with a resplendent unbeaten 101. The left-hander impressed many when he
played against the Indian senior team last year. Nimesh Perera coming in to
bat late in the order helped himself to 74.
But that was only a tour match. The first Test has already seen a string of
strong performances from the batsmen. India A batting first afforded
Gambhir, Kanitkar, Parthiv Patel and Jai P Yadav chances to score
half-centuries. Gambhir in particular has been impressive, adding a
sparkling 120 in the second innings to his first innings
79.
This time around though, the hosts were unable to match the visitors. Amit
Mishra's 5/35 ensured that India A are right on top. And this is just the
beginning of the tour.
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