The Hindu : Venugopala guides South to sensational win

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Venugopala guides South to sensational win

By Our Special Correspondent

South Zone's Y. Venugopala Rao (centre) with S. Badrinath after winning the match against England `A'.

GURGAON, FEB. 24. Yalaka Venugopala Rao. The name may not strike any chords now but will in the times to come.

The National selectors have pencilled his name and the England `A' bowlers will not forget him either. This modest cricketer from Vishakapatnam made history at the TERI Oval here as he scripted an unbeaten 228 to fashion a sensational six-wicket victory for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy.

The target of 501 was reached with little fuss, with 10.4 overs to spare. Venu, as he is fondly referred to by his mates, and S. Badrinath, put on 212 runs for the unbeaten fifth wicket to keep their team in the fray for a slot in the final next week. It was only the sixth instance of a team successfully reaching a target of 500 plus in a first class match in the history of the game. On Indian soil, it was the first time a team had achieved this feat.

Venugopala's 226-run partnership with S. Sriram (117) laid the base for Badrinath to raise his game. The century by the Tamil Nadu youngster was acknowledged by Venugopala. There was a cameo too by S. Sharath that actually raised the spirit of the South camp. Sharath was quick to play some robust strokes that motivated the pair of Venugopala and Badrinath and left the English attack in a shambles.

"I just concentrated on keeping my wicket. The idea was to stay at the wicket and let things happen. The pitch was slow and the ball also kept low. It was a long journey but I am happy it happened,'' said a beaming Venu. His was an impeccable show that had class written all over.

The 22-year-old Venugopala adopted the best method to go about the job. He remembered the classic partnerships of V.V.S. Laxman and Rahul Dravid at Kolkata and Adelaide and did not lose his concentration at any point. "There was a bit of reverse swing in the afternoon'' he pointed out but the "positive'' attitude of Sharath and Badrinath kept the chase on.

Sriram's tame dismissal, trying to steer the ball, was a blow early in the day. His 117 off 136 balls with 13 fours was his 25th first-class century and seventh in Duleep Trophy. Sharath arrived in the middle and smashed the ball around. "It was the motivation for me'' conceded Venugopala, who found a brilliant partner in Badrinath.

In cricket circles Venugopala is rated highly for his temperament, as he made a mark with selectors today. "I am very impressed. He kept his composure and played some superb drives,'' gushed National selector Kiran More. The chairman of the National selection committee Syed Kirmani termed it a "fantastic knock''.

Badrinath's contribution was no less crucial since he had to maintain a steady run rate against a defensive field. Venugopal's stunning drives, especially the ones that flashed past the bowler, were vintage stuff and Badrinath matched his partner in the glorious race. The two were subjected to some ugly sledging by the English but it only steeled the resolve of the Venu-Badri association to lay the opposition low.

Badrinath's 166-ball essay contained 13 fours while Venugopal, who faced 394 deliveries, hit 32 fours. For Badrinath it was recognition on the big stage but Venugopal was only reaffirming his potential.

On the India `A' tour to South Africa two years ago, he was deprived of opportunity as the team management treated him as an off-spinner. His match-winning show at the TERI Oval, watched only by a handful of people, was a big step towards achieving his goal of donning the national colours.

England `A' now meets East Zone, which has two points, in the last match of the group at Amritsar from February 27.

The scores:

England `A': — 1st innings: 377

South Zone — 1st innings: 174

England `A' — 2nd innings: 297 for eight decl.

South — 2nd innings: B. Rowland b Francis 1, I. Khaleel lbw b Mahmood 0, S. Sriram c Prior b Mahmood 117, Y. Venugopala Rao (not out) 228, S. Sharath c Pietersen b Napier 28, S. Badrinath (not out) 100, Extras 29 (b-8, lb-17, nb-4). Total (for four wkts.) 503.

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-1, 3-227, 4-291.

England `A' bowling: S. Mahmood 20.1-1-85-2, S. Francis 13-3-40-1, S. Jones 13.5-0-89-0, J. Tredwell 36-3-122-0, G. Napier 23-5-63-1, K. Pietersen 8-0-50-0, M. Lumb 1-0-1-0, B. Shafayat 8.2-2-28-0.

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