India emerging players suffer defeat

Batting let Indians down as they suffered a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Australian Institute of Sports in their 50-over match of the Emerging Players tournament in Brisbane on Friday.

Put in to bat, Indians were 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 Peter Burge Oval.

For India, Virat Kohli top-scored with 35 while Naman Ojha (24), Murali Vijay (19), Manoj Tiwary (17) and Ajinkya Rahane (15) were the other contributors.

The Indians were never allowed to build any substantial partnership by the Australian bowlers led by leg-spinner Steven Smith (3 for 13) and Jon Holland (2 for 39).

The Indian opening pair of Rahane and Vijay yielded 40 runs but once the duo were separated, the visitors slumped to 59 for three before one-down Ojha and Kohli stitched another 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 were all out for 139, losing five wickets for 21 runs.