Indian top order enjoys run feast

Indians 365 for 2 (Sehwag 123, Gambhir 126, Dravid 102*) lead Zimbabwe Board XI 294 for 9 (Ebrahim 169, Dabengwa 60, Kumble 5-48) by 71 runs

Virendar Sehwag lofts another boundary during his powerful 123 © AFP

Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid scored centuries against a Zimbabwe Board XI as they gained valuable practice ahead of next week's first Test. By the close India had amassed an imposing 365 for 2, a lead if 71 runs after the Board XI had declared their innings during the morning session.

Dion Ebrahim, the star of the opening day with an impressive 163, could only add six runs before he was snapped up by VVS Laxman at second slip after a rebound from Dravid and Keith Dabengwa advanced from his overnight 40 to a useful 60. Both now seem near certainties to make the Zimbabwe Test squad of 14, with the best eight players from this match in Mutare joining the six already selected for Bulawayo, starting on September 13.

Anil Kumble continued to be the pick of the Indian attack and completed a five-wicket haul to boost his confidence before the Tests, although the lack of penetration from the seamers will be a concern for the Indians. However, once Hamilton Masakadza, the Board XI captain, declared the day was dominated by the Indian batsmen.

Sehwag was at his flowing best, racking up a fluent 123 runs in 118 balls, including two sixes and 22 fours. He was the senior partner in an opening partnership of 197 with Gautam Gambhir, who went on to make 126, including a six and 16 fours.

After Gambhir finally departed Dravid came into his own to record the third century of the day although he was missed at slip on 49. However, the three India century makers will not go into the record books as this is not an official first class match.

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