Delhi upstaged by underdogs Madhya Pradesh
Call them underdogs or slow starters but Madhya Pradesh turned out deserving winners on Friday when they defeated Delhi by two wickets in Ranji Trophy Elite Group B game. Shalabh Manocha reports. Elsewhere in Ranji
Call them underdogs or slow starters but Madhya Pradesh turned out deserving winners on Friday when they defeated Delhi by two wickets in Ranji Trophy Elite Group B game.
The hosts gained five points from the match that took their tally to 13.
The game lasted for just 97 minutes on the last day.
In spite of MP playing at home, Delhi had a slight edge because of better bowling attack. But it was Delhi's fielding that let them down.
Defending just 59 on the last day, Delhi managed to pick three of the five remaining wickets as the hosts won their second consecutive game.
MP lost overnight batsman Harpreet Singh when he edged one to wicketkeeper Punit Bisht in the fourth over of the day off Parwinder Awana. Eight overs later, Awana struck in similar fashion to remove T Sudhindra. The runs, however, kept coming.
Awana bowled his heart out during his marathon spell of 27 overs in the innings. With six required, he bowled Amit Sharma to pick his second fifer of the season and give Delhi a little hope.
However, in the next over, Ishwar Pandey smashed Rajat Bhatia to the long on boundary to take MP home.
Home skipper Devendra Bundela said that Delhi lost the plot as they over-attacked. "We played with patience which Delhi lacked. Luck was also on our side."
Delhi, who before this round were on top with 10 points from four games, will now have to beat Bengal in their last game at Kolkata if they have to go ahead.
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