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This is an archive article published on April 22, 1998

Indians look forward to regaining touch

Sharjah, April 21: Shrugging off bitter memories of two consecutive losses, a determined India is keen to regain its winning touch against A...

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Sharjah, April 21: Shrugging off bitter memories of two consecutive losses, a determined India is keen to regain its winning touch against Australia tomorrow in the crucial last league match and book a berth in the final of the Coca-Cola Cup tri-nation cricket tournament, here, tomorrow.

With yesterday’s shock defeat against New Zealand, India has to beat Australia and hope New Zealand lose to its neighbour today to stay alive in the championship without letting the net run rate decide its fate.

“We have to look for a win against the Aussies,” Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad told PTI.

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“We have beaten them twice recently and so we hope to do well in the match against them tomorrow,” he said.

A triumph tomorrow will not only give Azharuddin and his men an opportunity to avenge their recent heart-breaking loss to Australia in the summit clash of the tri-nation series at home but will also go a long way in erasing the memories of their nightmarish last tour to this desert venue in December lastyear.

Despite poor batting displays in the last two outings that led to dismal losses against the Aussies and the Kiwis, Gaekwad hinted that India would persist with the same batting line up.

“So far, I have not given a thought to changing the batting line up,” he said, indicating that Saurav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar will open again.

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There was, however, no word on the condition of young medium-pacer Ajit Agarkar, whose absence due to muscle strain was badly felt in the last two encounters.

Discounting last night’s defeat to New Zealand when a series of needless run-outs put paid to India posing a serious challenge, Gaekwad said it was something one has to cope with in the world of cricket’s glorious uncertainties.

“We had three run-outs, and these things happen in the game,” he added philosophically.

With a fabulous spectator support in its favour, India will spare no effort to prove that the setbacks in the last two games were just aberrations and not a slump in form which has been on aupswing these days.

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