A breezy knock by Rudra Pratap Singh helped India set Sussex a challenging
target of 273 on the fourth and final day of the cricket tour match here today.
RP Singh cracked a 46-ball 41 with seven fours before the Indians declared their
second innings at 184 for 8 about 40 minutes after lunch, leaving the hosts with
a minimum of 55 overs to chase the target.
The Uttar Pradesh left-arm seamer then returned to pick the
crucial wicket of captain Michael Yardy for five as Sussex reached tea
at 46 for three.
S Sreesanth and Ranadeb Bose shared the other two wickets.
At the break, opener Richard Montgomerie on 29 and Michael Thornely,
yet to open the account, were at the crease.
Skipper Rahul Dravid with 30 not out was the other key
performer for India who were at one stage reduced to 120 for eight.
Dravid and RP Singh put on 64 runs for the unbroken ninth wicket
to give the tourists a strong finish.
India had made 388 for 7 declared in the first innings while
Sussex replied with 300 for 6 declared.
Resuming at 21 for 2, India lost quick wickets this morning
in face of some impressive bowling by the Sussex bowlers.
Both Dinesh Kaarthick and Yuvraj Singh were given a soul-searching
examination in face of some aggressive medium pace bowling by James Kirtley,
Robin Martin-Jenkins and Jason Lewry.
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