Gutsy Ratra earns Kumble's praise

Stand-in skipper Anil Kumble praised Ajay Ratra after the newcomer's gutsy innings lifted India to a four-wicket win over England in the third one-day international on Friday.

"Ratra showed great temperament and lot of character and it was a crucial knock," he said after the wicketkeeper, a former junior World Cup winner, struck an unbeaten 29 in a late cameo to steer the hosts to their modest target of 218 for victory.

Ratra also hit a quickfire 30 in the second match of the series on Tuesday, which India lost by 16 runs.

Kumble, leading the side because of a hamstring injury to regular skipper Saurav Ganguly, attributed India's victory to a fine team effort, which gave the hosts a 2-1 lead in the six-game series.

Sachin Tendulkar hammered 68 to dominate a 107-run opening stand after seam bowler Ajit Agarkar took four for 34 to help India bowl out the tourists for 217.

England skipper Nasser Hussain was disappointed after his batsmen failed to capitalise on winning the toss on a good wicket.

"This wicket had good bounce, 250 was the minimum we should have scored," he said. "If we had got runs on the board and under lights the ball doing a bit... We didn't quite do that today."

Fast bowler Matthew Hoggard grabbed three wickets in the space of six balls to put India under a bit of pressure, but Hussain said his side should have begun the fight earlier.

"In the best of conditions, we kept losing wickets," he said. "We have absolutely no excuses. But then you learn lessons only through losses."

Hussain was happy, however, that his inexperienced side competed well once again, having lost the first game by 22 runs and won the next by 16 runs.

"In the past in one-day games, this hasn't happened and I am glad we are doing much better now," he added.

England's tour of India : Complete coverage

Mail Cricket Editor