The touring Indian cricketers were brimming with confidence - and options - ahead of the first day/night one-day international against South Africa at the wanderers on Friday. In the course of an evening, the Indians have come out of inertia over concerns over injured Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar after their youngsters stood up to the task and delivered in a day/night one-day warm-up game against South Africa 'A' at Benoni onWednesday.
Ajit Agarkar, with 3 for 46 and a hectic 49 off just 43 deliveries, was Man of the Match but no less important were Jacob Martin and Yuvraj Singh who put themselves in focus at the first opportunity afforded on the tour. Martin, coming in at 38 for two, made a classy 54 from 81 balls before he sacrificed his wicket to a call by is stand-in captain Rahul Dravid while Yuvraj saw off the second major crisis of the innings, remaining unbeaten till the end on 46 after taking guard at the team's total of 156 for six.
The fightback by the youngsters has allowed the tourists to look at the Tendulkar-Ganguly issue in a positive manner and they would now approach the tri-series opener not exactly quaking in their boots.
Bureau Report