Energetic Indian juniors win warm up game
A relaxed Roger Binny saw his boys coast to victory in the India Under-15 versus Tamil Nadu Under-16 practice match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday
Anand Vasu
26-Jun-2000
A relaxed Roger Binny saw his boys coast to victory in the
India Under-15 versus Tamil Nadu Under-16 practice match at the
MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday. Beside him was an equally at
ease Professor Ratnakar Shetty. The executive joint secretary of
the Mumbai Cricket Association is with the juniors in the capacity
of manager. Having played the same role with the Indian senior
team in 1997 when they toured Sri Lanka, Shetty was more than accustomed with the tasks at hand.
"This is the right time to be with these boys. At this age,
they are keen to play the game and are trying hard to make
their careers." He was also very happy with the team and was
hopeful about their chances in Malaysia. "We'll play hard and
have it in us to win. I hope the boys do well and return with
the trophy."
When the Indian captain Subhash Dixit won the toss and elected to
field on a hot Chennai morning, his bowlers responded in fine
style. Leading from the front, the captain ended with the
impeccable figures of 8-2-13-4. He was well supported by off
spinner Palash Jyoti Das. The Assamese lad ended with 3/23. In
all, the Tamil Nadu side could muster only 175 as they were all
out three overs short of their allotted 45 overs.
Vijay Sarthy (37) and Vishal Kudavala (46) played the only knocks worthy of mention. Aditya Srikkanth, watched with interest because
of his famous father, did not make an impact in his innings of
18. Panau Raju, who is a member of the squad that will leave for
the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under-15 tournament later today strengthened the Tamil Nadu ranks by playing for them.
When the Indian team came out to bat, they were under no pressure
at all. On a flat track, Binny used the opportunity to give as many
possible players a knock out in the middle. At the top of the
innings, Hyderabad opener Tirupati Rayadu slammed an unbeaten 72,
but retired back to the pavilion to give way to other batsmen.
Palash Jyoti Das who shone with the ball earlier in the day
helped himself to a half century before he too retired. Overhauling
the total for the loss of just four wickets, an excited Indian team walked off the field.
Binny was all smiles as he sat down with the boys after the game
and went through some breathing exercises and just before leaving
the ground, Binny too echoed Shetty's optimism.