Trying times for Delhi trio, Gambhir keeps focus on runs

These are testing times for Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. While they are already out of the India team and there is a big question mark over their selection to the India team that tours South Africa, their state side Delhi too are struggling.

These are testing times for Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. While they are already out of the India team and there is a big question mark over their selection to the India team that tours South Africa, their state side Delhi too are struggling.

After their first Ranji Group A encounter against Jharkhand was washed out, they lost points to Gujarat before splitting points against Mumbai following a draw, after scores were tied in the first innings. In these two games, Sehwag failed to get going; Gambhir, who hit 123 against West Indies A last month, grafted his way to fifties in both innings against Mumbai.

On the eve of Delhi’s Ranji tie at home against Haryana, Gambhir evaded questions on the current India team and the opening combination. However, he made one thing clear, that he hasn’t lost hopes of a comeback although that’s not occupying his mind.

“I don’t play cricket to make comebacks. I try and contribute to whichever team I play for. I think I’ll play till I feel I can play international cricket. It is all about scoring runs,” he said at a promotional event, making it clear that he sees himself only as an opener, and unlike Sehwag wouldn’t like to drop down the order for Delhi. The game against Haryana will be one final chance for the two to come good before the South Africa squad is picked.

Out of the ODI squad after struggling in the home series against Australia, Ishant Sharma should find the Roshanara pitch to his liking.

DDCA vice-president Chetan Chauhan had said the team management wanted to play at Roshanara, apparently to brighten chances of an outright win. Gambhir denied there was any such request but said the team wanted to play to their strength, which is seam bowling.