BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS: Physio John Gloster attending Suresh Raina, who got injured during the practice match between India Seniors and India Juniors on Friday. — Photo: V. Ganesan

Chennai: The first practice game at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Friday proved a mixed bag for the selectors and the Indian team-management. On the brighter side, Sachin Tendulkar fielded without any discomfort, even firing in throws from deep covers. His right shoulder has healed well.

But the injury to Suresh Raina, who top-edged an attempted stroke on the leg-side off paceman Ajit Agarkar on to his jaw — the injury required five stitches — was a definite cause for concern although the young cricketer is confident of playing in Saturday's game.

R.P. Singh mauled

On a pitch where there was some bounce and carry but not much in terms of movement, some of the pacemen — left-armer Rudra Pratap Singh, in particular, went for 91 runs in his ten overs — did not display the necessary discipline in length and direction.

However, Ajit Agarkar, who bowled to a lovely rhythm, returned a creditable one for 40 off ten overs, often hitting the deck and extracting surprising bounce.

Munaf Patel (two for 50) was impressive in his second spell. So was the lanky V.R.V. Singh (three for 55 off ten) who castled Virender Sehwag (1) twice in the five deliveries that the batsman faced. The paceman found the right length.

Second chance to bat

Since this was a practice game, batsmen were allowed to come back after being dismissed (Sehwag, Dinesh Mongia, and Raina batted a second time) and the target of 275 was raised to 350 after the first mark was reached in the 39th over.

In the end, Rahul Dravid's XI snatched a last ball four-wicket victory, with Agarkar, Ramesh Powar, and Harbhajan Singh donning cameo roles in the climactic stages, over Dinesh Mongia's XI.

Off-spinner Powar, who brought in subtle variations, claimed three for 39, gleefully accepting a return catch. Harbhajan was consistent and steady, but the left-arm spin of Dinesh Mongia and Tejinder Pal Singh failed to convince.

There were runs galore in the match. Dinesh Karthik (57 retired, 73b, 8x4, 1x6) and Robin Uthappa (52, 54b, 4x4, 1x5) added 110 for the first wicket in 123 balls after Mongia won the toss. S. Badrinath (52 retired, 46b, 7x4, 1x6) too would have reasons to be pleased with his effort.

Bowler Pathan fails

When the senior team chased, skipper Dravid (59 retired, 51b, 12x4) opened with Tendulkar (18). Pathan (68, 52b, 7x4, 4x6) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (52, 38b, 9x4, 1x6) too sparkled. Pathan (10-0-80-1) had a forgettable outing with the ball, though.

Yuvraj Singh, suffering from a viral fever, could not take part in the contest, watched by a goodly, enthusiastic crowd. Coach Greg Chappell was hopeful that the left-hander would recover soon.

The scores: Dinesh Mongia's XI 274 for eight in 50 overs (D. Karthik 57 retired, R. Uthappa 52, S. Badrinath 52 retd., R. Powar three for 39) lost to Rahul Dravid's XI 353 for six in 50 overs (Dravid 59 retd., I. Pathan 68 retd., M.S. Dhoni 52 retd.). (Target raised to 350 for additional practice purposes).

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