India XI beat Australia XI to win Siyaram's Cup

India XI beat Australia XI by 154 runs in the day/ night encounter at the MA Chidmabaram Stadium, Chennai, on Friday to win the Siyaram's Cup. The match was played for the benefit of the 'Gujarat Earthquake Victims'. It was a noble gesture on the part of the touring Australians and the Indian players to turn up for such an event.

Most of the leading Aussie players preferred to keep out, leaving it to some select players who are touring India to join a few of their mainstream players. Saurav Ganguly did not play in the match. Rahul Dravid led the Indian side which was in full attendance.

In the afternoon, India XI won the toss and elected to bat. They made 338/8 in their allotted 40 overs. There was hardly any competitive nature to the match as the batsmen unleashed a savage attack on the bowling, much to the thrill of the packed stadium.

Sachin Tendulkar, the star attraction of the match, did not fail to entertain the big crowd. He was at the crease for just 39 minutes facing 49 balls to knock off 93 exhilarating runs of a hapless bowling. He punctuated his explosive knock with 18 fours and 2 sixes.

Local lads S Ramesh (35), Hemang Badani (55) and Robin Singh (33) too gave the crowd the opportunity to cheer their heroes. Vijay Dahiya made an entertaining 50 with the help of six boundaries off just 32 balls. The Aussie veteran Greg Matthews added colour to the festive occasion.

An Australian run chase was never a possibility against a full strength Indian bowling attack. Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar bowled with a lot of fire. The Australians were all out for 184 in 27.1 overs. The two Australian one day specialists Darren Lehmann and Michael Bevan gave glimpses of their ability with some lusty hitting.

Lehmann struck two mighty sixes and three boundaries to score 24 runs off just nine balls. Bevan who has been in tremendous form in the Australian domestic season, seems to have carried it with him to India. He delighted the crowd with some exquisitely timed boundaries, leaving the fielders watching the ball scream to the boundary. Bevan made 58 off 35 balls with the help of 13 boundaries.

Justin Langer too got cracking in the middle order. He struggled initially against the spin of Virendra Shewag (3/19), but went on to make 53 runs off 39 balls. He struck six boundaries and three big sixes. The big crowd that converged at the MA Chidambaram stadium had their share of fun, with some big Mexican waves going around, when the Aussie batsmen got a little defensive in the middle.

All the proceeds from this benefit match are to go to the Gujarat Relief Fund. In another noble gesture, all district associations affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association donated Rs 1.1 lakhs to the relief fund.