Delhi pacer Narwal back to speed

Last season, Delhi felt an acute shortage of pacemen that it called up Ashish Nehra, much against his wishes, for the crucial Ranji tie against Bengal. But Nehra did not turn up and an under-powered Delhi let batsman Manoj Tiwary off the hook and squandered the chance to reach the knockouts.

Last season, Delhi felt an acute shortage of pacemen that it called up Ashish Nehra, much against his wishes, for the crucial Ranji tie against Bengal. But Nehra did not turn up and an under-powered Delhi let batsman Manoj Tiwary off the hook and squandered the chance to reach the knockouts.

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However, the DDCA selection committee will be relieved after this season's league matches. Though the league was reduced to half due to a dispute over clubs, it still helped Sumit Narwal return to limelight after missing last year's Ranji season due to a lebrum tear in his right shoulder.

"I am happy, I have taken over 30 wickets in all local cricket," said the Karnal-based pacer, who took four wickets and made 58 runs to help ONGC beat Air India and win the Hot Weather tournament here on Sunday night.

Narwal underwent surgery in London in December and then rehabilitation at NCA. "The rehab was the best part. I learnt training techniques, got proper knowledge of the body and how to get the balance between training, rest and diet."

This season, Narwal has been the go-to man for ONGC. He hit 70-odd to rescue his team in the semifinal of the Om Nath Sood trophy tournament and hit 40-odd and took three wickets in the GG Dutt final before Sunday's all-round show.

Stars missing

Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, who gave the Hot Weather cricket a miss but appeared in the private Lala Raghubir tournament, which is not recognised by the DDCA, were criticised by DDCA sports secretary Sunil Dev: “They should have played at least one game in this tournament too."

Sehwag inspires juniors to win title

Inspired by the presence of their senior Virender Sehwag, Vikaspuri Cricket Coaching Centre beat Gautam Gambhir's training ground, Bharat Nagar Cricket Academy, by 20 runs to win the Master Daal Chand Memorial Cricket.