Borde happy with
youngsters' showing

Board of Control for Cricket in India selection committee chairman Chandu Borde on Tuesday said he is happy with the performance of youngsters Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Mongia and Hemang Badani in the on-going one-day series between India and England.

Speaking over telephone from Pune, Borde said the Indian lads batted, bowled and fielded well to take a 3-1 lead in the six-match series.

"I am very happy for the youngsters as they justified the faith the selectors reposed in them with some sterling batting performances.

"Sehwag and Mongia rose to the occasion when it really mattered. Badani has chipped in with some useful scores, and I am expecting a big innings from him before the end of this this series," he added.

"In fact, the youngsters have filled in well for seniors, like Rahul Dravid, who is being treated for a shoulder injury, and V V S Laxman, who had to be dropped because of poor form," the former all-rounder said.

"Though it is too early to say, I am confident that the team to beat in the World Cup, to be held next year in South Africa would be India, if the boys continue to play the way they are doing now.

"England is a pretty good one-day side but the way our boys have played so far shows the marked improvement they have achieved in all departments of the game," Borde said.

England's tour of India : Complete coverage

Mail Cricket Editor