Sunday, February 17, 2008

INDIAN COLTS WIN THE OPENER

India had a reasonably tough workout against Papua New Guinea at Kinrara Oval in the first round of matches of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2008 in Malaysia.

History will indicate that Virat Kohli’s side won by 195 runs but the truth is that PNG put in a disciplined display full of passion, commitment and no little skill. India had to play well to make sure it looked easy against the East Asia-Pacific qualifier.

Tanmay Srivastava was the backbone of the India batting and the number three ended up unbeaten on 83 as India managed 280-5 off 50 overs. Apart from a flurry of extras early in the innings, perhaps attributable to big-match nerves with the game being televised live by ICC’s host broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports, PNG bowled and fielded well and is clearly a well-drilled side.

But India showed it will not be an easy side to beat in this competition. After a spirited beginning to PNG’s innings, Pradeep Sangwan, Siddharth Kaul and, later, Ajitesh Argal and Iqbal Abdullah got in among the batsmen and eventually PNG collapsed to 85 all out.

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