Hemang Badani's cracking maiden century (100) took India to a challenging score of 248/9 in 50 overs. Badani's brilliance with the bat produced ten boundaries and two sixes off 98 balls, before holing out to Lehmann at long-on, off the bowling of Bracken in the 49th over. He shared a 93 run partnership with VVS Laxman (51) for the fourth wicket in 20.2 overs. Three run outs in the middle order was a bit too much for the Indian cause. Laxman, Rahul Dravid (13) and Dinesh Mongia (2) were all victims of poor running between the wickets. Sunil Joshi (19) was the only batsman who helped Badani to add some valuable runs in the lower order. The pair added 59 runs in eight overs. Badani made a meal of Martyn's bowling striking him for a huge six and flaying him through point for four. Bracken went for 13 runs in the 45th over of the innings but came back strongly to dismiss Joshi (19), caught brilliantly by Mark Waugh, running around at deep point to take the skier. India made 248/9 on a placid pitch, and with the TV cricket pundits claiming that the pitch would take a great deal of turn; Indian hopes were high, they had Harbhajan Singh!