Saurav overcomes ominous start

Visakhapatnam, Feb 17 (UNI) Exhibiting fine form since his recall to the team in both Test and ODIs, former India captain Saurav Ganguly was off to an ominous start when he opened the innings with Virender Sehwag as India were set a target of 259 by Sri Lanka in the fourth and the final One Dayer here today.

Saurav faced two balls in the first seven minutes of his stay at the wicket and was off the mark with one run. But he had to 'retire hurt' as he sustained cramps in his right thigh, official information said. India's score was then six for no loss.

As he sat on the ground for a few minutes grimacing in pain, he was given medical treatment. But he had to go back to the pavillion and rest for a while.

Much to the delight of the crowd, Saurav, playing his 286th ODI for India, returned to the crease at the fall of India's second wicket at 106 when stumper-batsman Dinesh Kaarthik fell to Sri Lankan bowler Dilhare Fernando.

The crowd was looking forward to some more fireworks from Saurav in the wake of some of his fine knocks like 98 and 68 in the ODIs against West Indies before the current series against the Lankans, and 62 and 48 against Sri Lanka at Rajkot and Goa respectively.

Saurav joined Sehwag at the crease and carried on in the hope of getting another good score on the eve of the World Cup.

UNI