About Tehelka-India

Monday, March 19, 2007

India teach Bermuda a lesson on cricket


Registering a World record of the largest margin in terms of runs in all ODI cricket, team India has thrashed minnows Bermuda by 257 runs in a Group-B world cup league cricket match at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad.

Zaheer Khan and Kumble picked up two wickets each and Munaf Patel earned one wicket.

Earlier, Indian top guns, including Virender Sehwag, came out firing on all cylinders as the Men in Blue posted a World Cup record total of 413 for five against a hapless Bermuda.

The total took them past their own best of 373 for six achieved at Taunton in 1999 as well as the World Cup highest of 398 for five which Sri Lanka had recorded against Kenya during the 1996 World Cup.

Among the batting stars, Sehwag (114) and Sourav Ganguly (89) first led the fireworks with a 202-run second wicket stand and later Yuvraj Singh (83) and Sachin Tendulkar (57 not out) finished off the run-riot with 122 runs for the fifth wicket.

Sehwag warmed the hearts of his dwindling supporters with his first century in 61 games and over two years, whacking 114 from 87 balls with 17 fours and three sixes. Yuvraj, on his part, thrashed 83 off just 46 balls with seven sixes and three fours.

Tendulkar, coming in at number six, did his own bit with 57 from 29 balls, inclusive of two fours and four sixes.

Sehwag, coming to bat at one down after his uncertainty with the new ball had led to Robin Uthappa being promoted as opener, whacked the amateurs from Bermuda to all parts of the ground.

In striking his eighth one-day century -- his first in 61 matches -- Sehwag outscored his partner Ganguly and reached his half century from only 43 balls with seven fours and a six. He was to reach his next 50 from only 38 balls as he peppered the hoardings and stands with ferocious shots.

Sehwag twice hit David Hemp for consecutive sixes, lifting him straight and then over extra cover for maximum shots. He then hoicked Kevin Hurdle for a six over square leg and reached his century from 81 balls with a single off the same bowler.

The opener continued in his same marauding manner before hoisting a catch in the deep but Ganguly built on his impressive half century in the first game against Bangladesh with another sterling knock today though the left-hander struggled in aiming big shots on a slowish wicket.

Bermuda, who won the toss and chose to field first, got an early berakthrough when Malachi Jones struck off his first ball, forcing Uthappa to edge a steer to lone slip Dwayne Leverock who dived to his right to accept the chance, his 120-kg frame heaving up and down in joy.

Ganguly was stumped in trying to heave spinner Dwayne Borden out of the ground and departed cross with himself for missing out on becoming the fourth player to hit five World Cup centuries.

Australians Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh and Indias Sachin Tendulkar share the honour.

Yuvrajs innings was notable for its sweet timing as much as the power he imparted in his strokes. Tendulkar too was all class and finesse and besides big shots also executed some clever hits.

In the other match, chasing a target of 203 runs, the host West Indies have defeated Zimbabwe by six wickets in a Group D encounter at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

Earlier, Zimbabwe have posted a respectable total of 202 loosing 5 wickets against the host West Indies.

After a shaky start, Zimbabwe innings boosted by Wicketkeeper-batsman Brendan Taylor who scored 50 in 112 balls with one six and a boundary.

However, for 6th wicket stand, a magnificent 70 runs in only 68 balls by Sean Williams with Elton Chigumbura (30) stretched the Zimbabwe score to 202 for five.

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