Two positives from 1-run victory

Hemang Badani and Amit Bhandari turned in inspired performances today to help a depleted Indian XI beat an Australia Prime Minister’s XI led by Steve Waugh by one run in a one-day festival cricket match at the Manuka Oval here today. In the absence of some of the first-teamers in an already injury-plagued touring party, Badani and Bhandari staked their claims for a part in the remaining VB Series games.

Batting first, India made 254 for 8 in their 50 overs and in reply the Prime Minister’s XI finished on 253 for 6. The Indians rested batting stalwarts Saurav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman but still prevailed thanks to Badani’s 100. Left-hander Badani batted with purpose after opener Sanjay Bangar grafted 33 from 63 balls with three fours. Parthiv Patel, Rahul Dravid, Rohan Gavaskar and Yuvraj Singh fell cheaply as Badani took charge of proceedings.

Though the cornerstone of his knock was his finely-placed singles, he improvised efficiently towards the end overs to stitch together a model one-day innings. The hosts needed 15 runs from the last two overs and eight from the last over bowled by Amit Bhandari but fell short, as Steve Waugh, most successful Test captain in history, bowed out as a beaten man in his last match against a touring team. (PTI)

Brief scores

India: 24/8 (Sanjay Bangar 33, Hemang Badani 100, Rohan Gavaskar 26, McDonald 3/70) bt

Australia PM’s XI: M North 74, C Brown 80, C Hartley not out 45, Nehra 2/41, Bhandari 2/50).