Sodhi steers India to semis

Sodhi steers India to semis
KJM VARMA

COLOMBO, JAN 22: India defeated Sri Lanka by a convincing 41 runs to top their group and set up a semi-final clash with Australia in the Youth World Cup cricket here on Saturday. All-rounder Reetinder Singh Sodhi did the star turn for India by hitting a superb 74 (81b, 4x4, 1x6) and then claimed two wickets for 22 runs as India inflicted the first defeat on the Lankans in the event at the Premadasa Stadium here.

Electing to bat, the Indian Colts scored 242 for seven in their allotted quota and then bundled out the hosts for 201 in 45.3 overs to storm into the semifinals.

Pakistan, who defeated the West Indies by three wickets in a crucial Group I match, will take on Sri Lanka in the second semi-final on January 24. India will take on Australia, who defeated New Zealand by 69 runs, on Tuesday.The Indian innings was built around a lively 89-run sixth wicket stand between Sodhi and Nilesh Patel (41: 55b), who carted the Lankan attack all over the ground.

Showing great class and temperament, Sodhi took control immediately upon walking in after skipper Mohd Kaif was out for 12 and along with Patel gave a torrid time to the nippy home fielders.

Ousted defending champions England beat lowly Nepal by 64 runs in an inconsequential Group II tie.

PAK SURVIVE SCARE: Super League leaders Pakistan survived a scare FROM the West Indies to record a three-wicket win at the Colombo CC grounds and retain their top position.

Chasing West Indies' total of 182, Pakistan were heading for an easy win at 170-3 when four wickets fell for three runs, causing panic in their ranks. However, Iqbal, nephew of former Pakistan great Javed Miandad, kept a cool head to steer the side through with an undefeated knock of 67 off 93 balls.
-- (PTI)

SCOREBOARD

India: M Sharma c Nissarka b Ganegama 11, R Ricky c Pushpakumara b Dhammika 32, Mohammed Kaif c Kandambi b Dhammika 12, Yuvraj Singh st Peiris b Pushpakumara 36, Reetinder Singh Sodhi run out 74, N Patel c Nissanaka b Dhammika 43, V Rao not out 14, M Tripath c Weeraratne b Dhammika 0, A Ratra not out 6. Extras: (lb 1, w 8, nb 5) 14.
Total: (for 7 wkts, in 50 overs) 242
Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-51, 3-74, 4-123, 5-212, 6-234, 7-235
Did not bat: A Dave, S Srivastav
Bowling: Nissanka 5-1-19-0, Ganegma 6-0-27-1, Weeraratna 3-0-20-0, Dhammika 10-1-43-4, Pushpakumara 10-0-38-1, Lokumarachechii 7-0-35-0, Daniel 1-0-5-0, Mubarak 8-0-54-0

Sri Lanka: K Weeraratne lbw Tripathy 6, I Daniel c Ricky b Tripathy 14, J Mubarak c Sodhi b Srivastav 30, T Kandambi c Singh b Rao 4, M Gajanayake c Ratra b Sodhi 16, M Pushpakumara c Srivastav b Sodhi 11, R Peiris st Ratra b Kaif 61, K Lokuarachchi b Yuvraj 30, R Dhammika c & b Kaif 2, A Ganegama not out 14, P Nissanka not out 1. Extras: (lb 3, w 7, nb 2) 12.
Total: (all out in 45.4 overs) 201
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-44, 3-56, 4-76, 5-76, 6-106, 7-164, 8-167, 9-197
Bowling: Srivastav: 8-0-49-1, Tripathy 6-0-18-2, Rao 5-2-17-1, Sodhi 7-0-22-0, Dave 4-0-25-0, Yurvraj 8-0-38-1, Kaif 7.4-1-29-3.