India lost quick wickets in the face of some impressive bowling by the Sussex
bowlers and were reduced to 116 for 6 in their second innings on the final day
of their tour opener here today.
At lunch, India had an overall lead of 204 runs with four wickets in hand.
Skipper Rahul Dravid, who missed the last two days of play due to a
strain on his left calf muscle, came out to bat at number seven with Dinesh Kaarthick as his runner.
He was 12 not out while Anil Kumble was on 9.
India had made 388 for 7 declared in the first innings while
Sussex replied with 300 for 6 declared.
Resuming at 21 for 2, Kaarthick and Yuvraj Singh were
given a soul-searching examination by James Kirtley, Robin Martin-Jenkins and
Jason Lewry.
Kirtely finally got the reward when he made the first breakthrough
in the day, having Yuvraj Singh caught at the wicket by Andy Hodd for 18.
That was also the 600th first class wicket for the former England
pace bowler.
Kaarthick, who again impressed with his pluck, struck a few
handy fours before being trapped leg before by Martin-Jenkins for 33. He faced
81 balls and hit 6 fours.
Gautam Gambhir never looked comfortable and was given
the marching orders against Martin-Jenkins when he flashed outside his off stump
to Hopkinson at slip for just 7.
VVS Laxman played a glorious on-drive off Marti-Jenkins and
square drove Saqlain to the fence but was out in an unfortunate manner.
He became a victim of a freak dismissal when his backfoot drive
off the same bowler hit the silly point fielder on his boot and ballooned up
for Hodd to complete the catch.
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