V Reddy
International Debutant
Laxman to lead India 'A' in Carib Beer Cup
Staff Reporter - 31 January 2003
Dropped from the World Cup squad in favour of Dinesh Mongia, Hyderabadi batsman VVS Laxman finds himself now leading the India 'A' squad to the West Indies to participate in the Carib Beer first-class competition.
Earlier the Busta Cup, the West Indian domestic contest has, over the last few years, made it a tradition to invite the 'A' sides of various countries to face off against first-class sides such as Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Antigua.
Laxman will be leading a side with quite a few Indian caps in it. Aside from Laxman himself, who is still a regular in the Test line-up, the squad includes opener Connor Williams, who played for India in South Africa. Hemang Badani is another batsman who has represented India at the highest level.
Among the bowlers, both L Balaji and Tinu Yohannan have played for India, although their chances in the national side were limited. Left-arm spinner Murali Kartik, also named, may even consider himself unlucky to not be picked for the World Cup in South Africa ahead of Anil Kumble. Ajay Ratra, one of India's young wicket-keeping options, will be India's stumper on this tour.
Many eyes will be on another Hyderabadi batsman, Ambati Rayudu. The youngster impressed in his last trip abroad - in England - and he has been in blazing form in the Indian first-class circuit. A good tour in the West Indies, with some solid performances, may be just what he needs if he is to make the transition to the next level in the near future.
Squad: VVS Laxman (captain), Hemang Badani, Akash Chopra, Connor Williams, Gautam Gambhir, Ambati Rayudu, Abhijit Kale, Rakesh Patel, Avishkar Salvi, L Balaji, Tinu Yohannan, Ajay Ratra, Murali Kartik, Amit Mishra, Jai P Yadav
Staff Reporter - 31 January 2003
Dropped from the World Cup squad in favour of Dinesh Mongia, Hyderabadi batsman VVS Laxman finds himself now leading the India 'A' squad to the West Indies to participate in the Carib Beer first-class competition.
Earlier the Busta Cup, the West Indian domestic contest has, over the last few years, made it a tradition to invite the 'A' sides of various countries to face off against first-class sides such as Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Antigua.
Laxman will be leading a side with quite a few Indian caps in it. Aside from Laxman himself, who is still a regular in the Test line-up, the squad includes opener Connor Williams, who played for India in South Africa. Hemang Badani is another batsman who has represented India at the highest level.
Among the bowlers, both L Balaji and Tinu Yohannan have played for India, although their chances in the national side were limited. Left-arm spinner Murali Kartik, also named, may even consider himself unlucky to not be picked for the World Cup in South Africa ahead of Anil Kumble. Ajay Ratra, one of India's young wicket-keeping options, will be India's stumper on this tour.
Many eyes will be on another Hyderabadi batsman, Ambati Rayudu. The youngster impressed in his last trip abroad - in England - and he has been in blazing form in the Indian first-class circuit. A good tour in the West Indies, with some solid performances, may be just what he needs if he is to make the transition to the next level in the near future.
Squad: VVS Laxman (captain), Hemang Badani, Akash Chopra, Connor Williams, Gautam Gambhir, Ambati Rayudu, Abhijit Kale, Rakesh Patel, Avishkar Salvi, L Balaji, Tinu Yohannan, Ajay Ratra, Murali Kartik, Amit Mishra, Jai P Yadav
