Rahul Dravid

MORUTAWA, Aug 15: Rahul Dravid hit a match-winning 95 off 110 balls, (6x4) to steer India to a close two wicket win with three balls to spare over Sri Lanka Board President's XI in a one-day warm-up match at the Moratuwa Stadium, here, today.

Dravid kept India in the reckoning after they were reduced to 78 for 3 chasing the Board team's total of 240 for 7 off 50 overs.

The right-hander was run out with five runs needed for victory. But Rajesh Chauhan ensured India a win by hitting leg-spinner Bathiya Periera for a massive six in the middle of the final over.

Board XI, put into bat by Anil Kumble , who led the side in the absence of Sachin Tendulkar (injured leg) got off a fine start with openers Russel Arnold and Avishka Gunawardena putting on 112 runs off 23.4 overs. Arnold made 56 off 80 balls (3x4) and Gunewardena, 53 off 72 balls (7x4).

Mahela Jayawardena (47 off 57 balls, 4x4) and skipper Hashan Tillekeratne (33 off 51 balls, 4x4) playing his first competitive match since breaking his right forearm in the West Indies two months ago, chipped in with useful contributions.

But the Board XI, who were at a position of strength at 215 for 3, lost four wickets for 25 runs towards the later stages of their innings as India fought back.

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka Board President's XI: R P Arnold b Ganguly 58, A Gunawardena lbw b Ganguly 53, D H M Jayawardena c Mongia b Singh 47, H P Tillekeratne c Kumble b Chauhan 33, M N Nawaz c Chauhan b Kumble 14, A W H Wickremaratne not out 9, B Pereira b Chauhan 0, Galagoda run out 1, T T Samaraweera not out 10. Extras (lb4, w4, nb7) 15; Total: (for 7 wkts in 50 overs) 240

Fall of wickets: 1-112, 2-123, 3-192, 4-215, 5-218, 6-221, 7-222

Bowling: Kuruvilla 9-1-34-0 (1nb); Mohanty 5-0-24-0 (1w); Chauhan 10-1-45-2 (3nb); Singh 10-0-48-1 (3w, 3nb); Kumble 9-0-42-1; Ganguly 5-0-29-2; Jadeja 2-0-13-8.

INDIA: G K Khoda c Wickremaratne b Sadikeen 0, S C Ganguly c Sadikeen b Samaraweera 23, R Singh run out 33, R Dravid run out 95, V G Kambli c Galagoda b Sadikeen 35, A D Jadeja lbw b Arnold 8, N R Mongia c Gunawardena b Samaraweera 16, A Kumble c Arnold b Pereira 3, R S Chauhan not out 23, A Kuruvilla not out 1; Extras: (b1, lb4, w3) 8. Total (for 8 wkts in 49.3 overs) 243

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-48, 3-75, 4-156, 5-171, 6-201, 7-211, 8-236

Bowling: Ranjith 8-0-44-0 (1w); Sadikeen 7-0-38-2; Samaraweera 10-0-45-2 (2w); Jayawardena 5-0-30-0; Pereira 9.3-0-52-1; Arnold 10-0-29-1.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.