When India hopefuls, Shikhar Dhawan and Unmukt Chand, face the new ball first up at the R
oshanara Club grounds on Tuesday morning, a lot will be at stake.
The two, who have been inconsistent this season, leaving Delhi struggling to advance, will look to banish the criticism of them not being up to the mark.
Their target of 270 to win this game on the final day will test their and the team's nerve.
Delhi need an outright win against Maharashtra to harbour hopes of qualifying for the next round, but the lively track already has skipper Dhawan in two minds.
"We'll have to see how it goes in the morning and then bat accordingly," he said.
There's not much to be gained for Delhi if they decide to bat out the last day on a wicket that seems to be getting better for batting. The third day on Monday in fact summed up Delhi's season - failing to grab the chances that came their way.
Maharashtra batted with grit for 266 in the second innings but were helped by the fielders. Ankit Bawne was dropped at covers by Mohit Sharma when on 2. He went on to make 55.
{{/usCountry}}Maharashtra batted with grit for 266 in the second innings but were helped by the fielders. Ankit Bawne was dropped at covers by Mohit Sharma when on 2. He went on to make 55.
{{/usCountry}}Pradeep Sangwan, who took three wickets eventually, too left the Delhi camp in despair, making a habit of getting wickets of no balls. In the first innings, he got one off a no ball and then, on Monday, got two such wickets.
The first one off Harshad Khadiwale (92) cost Delhi 34 more runs. The second didn't. But it reflected a season of near misses.
Delhi vs Maharashtra Maharashtra 196 & 266 in 90.4 ovs (Khadiwale 96, A Bawne 55; S Narwal 3/48, P Sangwan 3/64) vs Delhi 193