India crush Netherlands, Sehwag misfires again

India warmed up for the cricket World Cup in style as they made light of minnows Netherlands with an emphatic 182-run victory in a practice match despite Virender Sehwag showing no signs of regaining form.

The Indians, regarded as front runners for the title by a few former cricketers, were never really challenged in what turned out to be a lop-sided contest but Sehwag's failure to hit form would continue to be a worrying factor for the team management.

The struggling Sehwag, included in the World Cup squad largely because of captain Rahul Dravid's insistence, opened the innings with the in-form Sourav Ganguly and managed just 28 runs before being bowled.

Put into bat, India scored 300 for nine in 50 overs with Dravid (74) and Sachin Tendulkar (61) emerging the batting heroes as the experienced duo put on a 116-run fourth wicket partnership to steer the team out of a precarious 82 for three.

Yuvraj Singh (4/12) claimed the bowling honours as the Netherlands were bundled out for a paltry 118 in 37.5 overs.

"I expected the top three to go on and get big scores. But this is the early part of the tour and the boys looked good," Dravid said after the match.