Cricket: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 Board President’s XI
Indians suffered at the hands of Sri Lanka Board President’s XI on day one of the 3 day tour match. Indian bowling in simple words was not impressive at all and the home team put on a massive score of 432 for 5 on day 1.
Things did not get any better for the tourists on the 2nd day of the match. Sri Lanka Board President’s XI resumed their innings in the first session. And continued to pile on the runs, Silva was the first success for the Indians. He was bowled by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ishant-Sharma-c64566. Silva scored 19 runs from 4 balls.
Senanayake was the next man to go after scoring just 11, he was out LBW to Mithun, Chandimal, who has just been offered a central contract by the board, continued to score from the other end. Sri Lanka Board President’s 11 finally declared the innings at 514 for the loss of 9 wickets. Chandimal was unbeaten at 47 from 71 balls with 8 fours and 1 six. Left arm spinner Praghyan Ojha was the best bowler for the Indians claiming 5 wickets for 153 runs.
Considering the flat track, the Indians would have fancied themselves to also have a nice day out with the bat and pile up a big score. The opening pair from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780, Virendar Sehwag and Gautham Gambhir started the innings. Sehwag was in his typical aggressive mode and slashed a four in the very first over to kick start the innings. Veeru followed it up by a six over midwicket but played one shot too many. Welagedara got one to nip back and disturbed the furniture behind Sehwag as he went for another booming drive.
Gambhir at the other end was in a more subtle mood. Known as the Indian Wall, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-c83321 Dravid walked in next and looked pretty settled at the crease, he scored 11 runs from 21 balls with 2 classy boundaries. Welagedara though found a way through his defence as well and he was sent back with the score at 59.
The great Sachin Tendulker walked in next. The unorthodox spinner Ajanta Mendis was introduced right away. Mendis, who has been slightly off colour in recent games, found his line and length immediately.
Sachin could not get his bat down in time to a quick flipper and was out LBW after scoring just 4 runs from 3 balls. Very Very special Laxman came in to join Gambhir but he too was unable to counter Mendis who was looking in supreme form.
Laxman tried to cut one that was too close to him and was caught behind off Mendis,he scored 6 runs from 13 balls with one four.
Yuvraj Singh then came to the crease and finally gave some support to Gambhir who was still at the other end. The 2 left-handers decided to attack Mendis and did not let him settle.
Yuvraj smashed Mendis for 3 sixes in the space of 2 overs and eventually he was taken out of the attack.
The pair added 143 runs for the 5th wicket and gave some stability to the innings; the partnership was finally broken when Mendis was reintroduced into the attack.
In his first over Mendis got one to move away and got Gambhir to play a half hearted shot that ended in Tharanga’s hands at mid off, Gambhir scored 89 runs from 134 balls with 13 boundaries.
Captain Dhoni came next and left quickly as he was caught off the bowling of Senanayake after scoring just 10 runs. Yuvraj Singh completed an excellent century and was bowled by Senanayake for 118 from 146 balls with 11 fours and 6 sixes.
The Indians were finally all out for 291 and trailed the home team by 223 runs. India will start day 2 with the bat as they did not manage to avoid the follow on.
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