CALCUTTA, 27 December 2003 — Hemang Badani guided India A to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka A with an unbeaten 85 in a triangular one-day cricket tournament here yesterday.
The Indian captain smashed one six and eight fours in his 92-ball knock as the hosts surpassed a modest Sri Lankan total of 200 with more than 10 overs to spare at Eden Gardens.
The Indian and Sri Lankan teams have so far posted two victories apiece from three matches, while Pakistan A are winless after two games.
The hosts, who had lost to the Sri Lankans in the opening match, avenged their defeat in style as they put in a superb all-round performance to enhance their chances of qualifying for the Dec. 30 final.
Medium-pacer Sanjay Bangar (3-43) led a disciplined Indian attack to restrict the Sri Lankans, who had successfully chased more than 300 in their first two matches. Off-spinner Sarandeep Singh, and pacemen Amit Bhandari and Munaf Patel each grabbed two wickets to make the Sri Lankans struggle for runs.
Opener Saman Jayantha (65) and middle-order batsman Naveed Nawaz (57) were the only batsmen to defy the Indian attack, but their efforts were not good enough for their team to set a stiff target.
Left-handed Badani ensured an easy win for the hosts with an 85-run stand for the third wicket with opener Gautam Gambhir (51). He then added 71 for an unbroken fourth wicket stand with Yuvraj Singh (33 not out) to secure the win.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka A 200 in 47 overs (Saman Jayantha 65, Naveed Nawaz 57, Nuwan Zoysa 20, Sanjay Bangar 3-43, Sarandeep Singh 2-31, Munaf Patel 2-33, Amit Bhandari 2-33). India A 201-3 in 39.2 overs (Hemang Badani 85 not out, Gautam Gambhir 51, Yuvraj Singh 33 not out).
