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Ganguly is India's only real concern

India (243-5) bt Notts (159-6) by 87 runs (D/L method)

Victory for India in their last warm-up match must have pleased them all the more because it coincided with an emphatic proclamation of ripe form by Sachin Tendulkar, cheaply dismissed at Leicester and denied an innings at Harrogate by a flooded pitch.

Tendulkar, with a responsible 91, and Rahul Dravid, elegant and courtly in scoring 89, batted together for 29 overs to put on 155 for the second wicket and pave the way for India's win. Dravid had given ample indication at Leicester last Friday that the rich vein he struck in the winter is still with him. His effort yesterday confirmed the fact.

Where India's batting is concerned, one problem stayed with them. Saurav Ganguly, Tendulkar's opening partner, suffered another failure, staying in for only five overs before edging a good ball from Vasbert Drakes to slip.

India's coaching team of Anshuman Gaekwad and Bob Simpson were seeking reassurance in the form of a substantial innings, more so as India will be pitted against the most formidable pace attack in the competition at the very start of their World Cup campaign, on Saturday, at Hove, against South Africa.

Tendulkar and Dravid had to lay the foundations to their partnership - which was interrupted by rain to the extent of each side losing six overs of their allotment and inviting the attention of Messrs Duckworth and Lewis - in the face of an admirably accurate new-ball spell by Drakes.

In fact, the whole Nottinghamshire attack bowled with discipline on a good pitch and Tendulkar, who faced 113 balls and hit nine fours and a six, had to swash the buckle with discretion. He and Dravid were both out to superb catches, as was Mohammad Azharuddin. In fact, Notts were exemplary in the field.

Indeed, there is much depth to India's batting but their attack is still heavily reliant on the loyal Javagal Srinath. He captured the first three of the four wickets that Notts lost in getting 34 runs, a collapse that put them out of the race. India's third seamer, Ajit Agarkar, took the other with a beauty in his first over. Jason Gallian prevented a rout with a noble 79 not out.