Daily Sports

Batting let India Emerging Players (IEP) down as it suffered a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Australian Institute of Sports in their 50-over match of the Emerging Players tournament here on Thursday.

Put in, IEP was all out for just 139 in 41.3 overs and AIS rode on an unbeaten half century from Tom Cooper (72) to easily overhaul the target in 35.3 overs at the Peter Burge Oval.

For IEP, Virat Kohli top-scored with 35 while Naman Ojha (24), Murali Vijay (19), Manoj Tiwary (17) and Ajinkya Rahane (15) were the other contributors. IEP was never allowed to build any substantial partnerships by the Australian bowlers led by leg-spinner Steven Smith (three for 13) and Jon Holland (two for 39).

The Indian opening pair of Rahane and Vijay put on 40 runs but once the duo was separated, the visitor slumped to 59 for three before Ojha and Kohli stitched a 40-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

But once Ojha and Kohli were out, it was like a procession of the Indian lower order batsmen to the pavilion. From 118 for five, India was all out for 139.

The Indian team had little chance of defending the small total despite economical bowling by Amit Mishra (one for 19), Dhawal Kulkarni (one for 21) and Sudeep Tyagi (one for 21).

IEP had lost its first match against its South African counterpart on Tuesday. The Indians had beaten AIS in their tournament opener T20 match by seven wickets on Monday.