Laxman stars in practice match

VVS Laxman served the Indian selectors a timely reminder of his batting prowess, scoring a 111-ball 101 in a practice game between Rahul Dravid XI and Virender Sehwag XI at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Laxman, one of the probables for the squad to be picked for the tri-series in Sri Lanka, helped Sehwag XI score 226 for 8 in 45 overs, but useful contributions from Yuvraj Singh (56), Suresh Raina (38), MS Dhoni (35) and Neeraj Patel (34) helped Dravid XI reach the target in just 32.4 overs.

Fourteen players were named in each team in a game meant primarily to give the players match practice. The most notable failure of the day was Rahul Dravid, who was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Lakshmipathy Balaji. Among the bowlers, Irfan Pathan, Amit Bhandari and Sreeshanth took a couple of wickets each for Dravid XI, while JP Yadav put in a solid all-round performance for Sehwag XI, scoring 30 and taking 2 for 24.

The teams will play another practice game on Sunday, this one being a benefit match for David Johnson. The squad for the tour to Sri Lanka will be announced on Monday, July 18.