India Seniors spinners quell India 'A' challenge

VVS Laxman and Shiv Sunder Das walked out to bat for India seniors against India A in the first match of the Challenger Trophy at Motera, Ahmedabad today. Having won the toss, captain of the Indian team Rahul Dravid elected to bat first and was rewarded by some steady batting. Both Das (73) and Laxman (43) batted sensibly and shared an opening partnership of 84. At the fall of Laxman's wicket, Das continued the good work in Dravid's company and pushed the score to 178. Dravid made a patient half century in characteristic fashion.

An enthusiastic Sanjay Bangar then got his man as Das was bowled. In came Vinod Kambli, who would have been hoping to make a mark in this game. He got off to a quick start but could not capitalise. His 22 ball 26 included a four and a six.

Some steady bowling then saw India A restrict the seniors to a total of 279. Although 279 is a large total in itself, India Seniors could have made much more given the start they had and the nature of the wicket.

Under the circumstances, the total was less than what seemed possible. This was mainly due to the fact that India Seniors lost wickets at regular intervals after the 40th over. At 39.5 overs, India Seniors had lost just 2 wickets, and yet they were all out in 50 overs.

Lacklustre bowling from all the India A bowlers did not help their cause at all. T Kumaran, Bangar and Ashish Kapoor all completed their full complement of 10 overs at more than 5.4 runs an over.

Only an outstanding batting display by the India A team could have seen them through to victory against what was a seasoned Indian bowling attack. Arunkumar hinted at that kind of form, but was not well supported. His opening partner Dani succumbed to Chopra after making a slow 32. The opening partnership was worth 88.

Vastly experienced cricketer and former captain Mohammed Azharuddin walked in amidst high expectations. To begin with, Azhar worked the ball into the gaps with ease and picked up ones and twos. As he became more confident, he came down the wicket and lofted Nikhil Chopra for a huge six over long on. Attempting to repeat the shot, Azhar skied the ball to Kumble, who pouched the catch easily.

Every over that passed added pressure on the inexperienced India A batsmen as the spinners tied them down. Sunil Joshi, Anil Kumble and Chopra were all effective in their own ways.

S Sharath looked comfortable against the spinners, nut he too perished after making a half century. After both Azharuddin and Sharath were dismissed, the India A batsmen floundered.

Drastic hitting was called for as the required run rate ballooned out of control. At the 41st over, India A were just 189. By this time, the game had slipped away from the India A team.

Having done all the damage up to this stage, the India spinners were unstoppable. Chopra had picked up the initial wickets, ending with the somewhat unflattering figures of 3/56. Kumble finished up with 3/34 and Joshi mopped up the tail and had returns of 3/40. In the end, India A could manage only 227 and ended up losing the match by 52 runs.

In the final reckoning, the India Seniors were just too good on the field for the A side. The game was taken away from the A team in the first half itself, as the seniors made a sizable score.

Yet, it was not a score that was not attainable given the conditions. In the India Seniors team is to be tested in this tournament, it will take more than what the A side have to offer today.

At the end of the day, it was a disappointing beginning to yet another Challenger Trophy. While the concept of the Challenger Trophy is sound, it never seems to make team selection any easier. When India Seniors take on India B tomorrow, there will be more to look forward to, as the squad for the India B team contains five cricketers from the victorious Indian Under-19 team.