India struggling to avoid defeat against Busta XI

Dinesh Mongia staked his claim for a place in the side for the third Test against the West Indies even as the Indians struggled to avoid an embarrassing defeat to the Busta XI on the third and final day of their three-day tour match on Sunday.

Mongia produced a gutsy 67, but that only delayed the inevitable humiliation as the Indians crashed to 150 all out in their first innings in response to Busta XI's total of 437 and were forced to follow on.

The start to the second innings was also disastrous and the visitors lost Shiv Sunder Das for nought in the 10 overs bowled before lunch, going in to the break at 22 for one with Wasim Jaffer batting on 12 and Deep Dasgupta on six.

Das was trapped leg before wicket by left-arm seamer Pedro Collins off the fourth ball of the innings.

Earlier, Mongia and Sarandeep Singh, who made 32, added 50 for the eighth wicket after the Indians resumed at their overnight 73 for seven. Mongia, who was twice lucky on Saturday, was more positive on Sunday and played his shots fluently.

Sarandeep Singh too continued with his newfound touch with the bat and hit two fours in the very first over of the day from Collins. He also produced a fine cover-driven four against offspinner Gareth Breese.

Singh was out when he guided a Breese delivery to slip fielder Runako Morton with the total on 122. He hit five fours in his almost hour-long knock.

Harbhajan Singh and Tinu Yohannan, who remained unbeaten, were both unable to score, but stayed at the crease long enough to enable Mongia to reach his half-century with a quick single against legspinner Dinanath Ramnarine.

Thereafter, Mongia lofted Ramnarine into the long-on stands for a six and followed it up with a swept boundary to mid-wicket. He, however, got out in the next over by Breese to bring an end to the Indian innings.

PTI

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