The Hindu : Sport : Another classy show by Uthappa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 26, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport

Another classy show by Uthappa

S. Sabanayakan

Good contributions from Takawale and Irfan Pathan

— Photo: K. Pichumani

FLYING HIGH: Robin Uthappa’s fine innings gave India Blue some respectability in the Challenger series match against India Green.

CUTTACK: Robin Uthappa produced another gem of an innings to shore up the India Blue innings to a competitive total of 218 in 44.2 overs against India Green in the third match of the N.K.P. Salve Challenger Trophy at the Barabati Stadium here on Saturday.

On an overcast day, India Green skipper Mohammad Kaif won the toss and asked the opposition to take first strike to exploit the moisture in the pitch.

It looked as if the decision was vindicated as opener Virat Kohli and captain Yuvraj Singh departed in quick succession to leave the team tottering at 19 for two in 5.5 overs.

Damage control

Dinesh Karthik joined Uthappa and began to repair the damage, but the former was given out leg before plunging India Blue in deep trouble.

As Arjun Yadav too left at 87 in the 22nd over, it was completely left to Uthappa and the new man Yogesh Takawale to take charge of the situation.

And, for the next nine overs the two played sensibly and added a valuable 58-run partnership for the fifth wicket. In the process, Uthappa reached his half century with a six off left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha.

Uthappa, who played last for India in the Asia Cup in July, was out for a well-made 76 (88b, 5x4, 3x6). He fell playing across to a well-pitched-up delivery from Ojha and was adjudged leg-before.

After Takawale left for a solid 28 (34b, 3x4), Irfan Pathan and R. Ashwin came together to add a further 35 runs for the seventh wicket from which the team reached a total of 218.

The three-man pace attack bowled extremely well though R.P. Singh got a bit of stick. Left-armer Ojha too proved expensive.

Sibling rivalry

Yusuf Pathan, who was brought on late, had the best figures of three for 21 in six overs. The best part of his bowling was the duel between the two brothers Irfan and Yusuf. Ultimately the elder managed to get his younger brother’s wicket.

The game had a delayed start owing to water seeping onto the pitch at the Mahanadi river end due to overnight rain and early morning drizzle. The game was also reduced to 45 overs a side.

India Blue made three changes bringing in Yogesh Takawale of Mumbai, Ashok Dinda of Bengal and Arjun Yadav of Hyderabad for Ajinkya Rahane, Siddharth Trivedi and Ravinder Singh.

India Green left out an indisposed Laxmi Ratan Shukla and brought in Rajat Bhatia of Delhi.

The scores:

India Blue: V. Kohli b R.P. Singh 9, R. Uthappa lbw b P. Ojha 76, Yuvraj b R.P. Singh 3, D. Karthik lbw b Gony 10, A. Yadav lbw b P. Singh 16, Y. Takawale c P. Ojha b Y. Pathan 34, I. Pathan b Y. Pathan 28, R. Ashwin c Gony b Y. Pathan 10, P. Sangwan (not out) 6, C. Nanda (run out) 8, A. Dinda b Gony 0; Extras (lb-1, w-11, nb-6): 18. Total (in 44.2 overs): 218.

Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-19, 3-56, 4-87, 5-145, 6-166, 7-201, 8-202, 9-217.

India Green bowling: P. Singh 9-1-27-1, R.P. Singh 8-0-56-2, M. Gony 6.2-0-18-2, P. Ojha 8-0-60-1, R. Bhatia 7-0-35-0, Y. Pathan 6-0-21-3.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport