India A skipper VVS Laxman’s ton goes in vain as India B opener R Uthappa strikes back with a 93 ball 116 to give his team a seven wicket victory
MOHALI: Robin Uthappa. That name alone sums up the shocking seven wicket win of India B pitted against India A. All of nineteen, the Karnataka right-handed batsman showed the contempt of youth for the established as he let loose against an attack that props up L Balaji as its spearhead and is bolstered by the upcoming VRV Singh and RP Singh.
Robin Uthappa smashed 116 in 93 balls to tease a thought that perhaps India’s opening blues may have finally found an antidote. Too early to say just as yet but Robin has shown nerve and composure on the big stage and surely those don’t come by easy for the taking. Overcoming cramps – that saw him earlier retire at 107 – Robin did enough to deserve a worthy Man of the Match placard.
A total of 260 for the loss of eight in the stipulated 50 overs by India A promised to be a handful for the junior team. But percept alone seldom shapes fortunes, especially not in sport. India B rustled up 263 for three in 38.5 overs. The team also got a bonus point for hauling up the target by 40 overs and now takes on India Seniors in the final on Thursday.
Earlier, the silken caresses of VVS Laxman contrasted by the brute power of Suresh Raina made for a batting treat as India A stabilised their innings after the openers fell cheaply. Laxman cracked an authoritative 110 to further question the wisdom of those who choose to overlook the classy Hyderabadi from the shorter version of the game. His ease of stroke making saw the captain lead from the front to decimate the India B attack.
Surely he will be difficult to ignore for the forthcoming India-Sri Lanka seven match ODI series. Suresh Raina cracked an impressive 97 before Piyush Chawla spun a wily one to snare his wicket. S Sreesanth again came into his own to show that the Tuesday scalps of Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Kaif were no shocks in the dark. Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman are worthy trophies to add to his haul. Conceding 44 runs across his ten-over spell, the Kerela lad may well have asserted his claim for selection too what with seniors like Zaheer and Balaji looking out of sorts.
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