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Delhi march on
Proving that their batting wasn't a weak link, Delhi surpassed Tamil Nadu's first innings total of 463 to enter the Ranji Trophy semi-finals on Sunday, reports Anam Arsalan.
Proving that their batting wasn't a weak link, Delhi surpassed Tamil Nadu's first innings total of 463 to enter the Ranji Trophy semi-finals on Sunday.
Resuming at 294 for four at the Palam Ground, skipper Rajat Bhatia and Gaurav Chabra batted with resolve, which allowed the hosts to declare at 490 for eight. Their batting styles may have differed but the duo's approach served Delhi's purpose. While Bhatia scored on both sides of the wicket, Chabra was impressive on the on-side.
After adding 122 with Chabra, Bhatia was run out, six short of a century. Trying to take a single off R. Ashwin, the skipper charged down the track but C. Ganapathy's direct hit from mid-on left him short. Delhi were 107 runs behind and five wickets remained.
This was the second time this season that Bhatia succumbed in the nineties. Earlier, he was out on 99 against Maharashtra.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Puneet Bisht, who has two centuries this season, belted S. Badrinath for three consecutive fours to raise the tempo. After a straight drive to the fence, he hit twice through cover for boundaries.
Chabra got to his maiden century late in the second session. After surviving some nervous moments on 99 against left-arm spinner R. Aushik Srinivas, the 22-year-old managed the elusive single. Bisht continued to be himself and belted Srinivas for a six over long on to complete his half-century and bring Delhi closer. There was some cheer for the opposition when he was adjudged leg before to Ashwin. He fell on 100 and Delhi were 452 for six.
It was left to Bisht to complete the task and a four off Srinivas saw Delhi surpass Tamil Nadu. Bisht (75) fell at the stroke of tea, losing his wicket to S. Anirudha.
Pradeep Sangwan and Parvinder Awana were in the middle when Bhatia declared at 490 for eight.
The hosts could have carried on, but a poor overrate playing on the mind, they came out to bowl again.
The Tamil Nadu second innings was 10-overs-old when the skippers called off play.
