India close in on victory against Guyana

India ripped through the top of the Guyana President's XI batting order on Saturday to put themselves in a strong position going into the third and final day of their tour opener.

At the close of play, the hosts were teetering on 52-5 in their second innings and still needed a further 78 runs to make the tourists bat again.

Responding to a first innings total of 118, India batted solidly to put up a score of 248, with Sanjay Bangar leading the way with an undefeated 76.

Sourav Ganguly chipped in with 56 while Vangipurappu Laxman added 43 to be the pick of India's other batsmen.

In their second innings the hosts were soon under pressure, and once Andre Gonzalves was out lbw to Javagal Srinath for 18 in the 7th over with the score on 25, wickets fell at regular intervals.

Srinath wasted little time in making the score 25-2 when he bowled Narsingh Deonarine with the very next delivery.

Krishna Arjune was the next batsman to be dismissed, caught and bowled by Harbhajan Singh for 13 with the score on 44.

Four runs later, the Guyanese captain Travis Dowlin was bowled by Anil Kumble for 15 before Kevin Bazil offered no shot to a Kumble googly and was also bowled -- for nought -- to leave the hosts on 52-5 at the close of play.

Hoomchand Pooran was the not out batsman on four.

With the Indian bowlers in such clinical form, the match should be wrapped up early on the final day.

Mail Cricket Editor