It was not the first time and it would certainly not be the last time. The Delhi batsmen once again displayed their skill of throwing wickets on a simple batting track in order to keep interest alive in their match against Andhra here on Tuesday.
The day was, however, saved by Mayank Tehlan with his unbeaten knock of 91 after Delhi opted to bat first on a dead track. After some irresponsible batting by the top order, Delhi finished at 247 for five. Aditya Jain, who replaced Ashish Nehra for the match, was unbeaten on 21. Tehlan looks set to score his second hundred of the season after his 200 against Baroda.
When Delhi started their innings, openers Aakash Chopra and Shikhar Dhawan never gave an impression of getting out till they gifted their wickets to the Andhra spinners. Chopra (15) was the first to go when he was caught at forward short-leg by Manoj Sai off off-spinner Md Faiq.
Dhawan followed him to the pavilion with no addition to the total when he failed to judge the turn of a Y Lakshmana Kishore delivery and offered his pads without keeping his bat along, and the umpire did not hesitate to raise the finger.
At this point Tehlan took up the challenge and showed some extraordinary maturity in his selection of shots. Skipper Manhas also played some attractive shots at the other end. Manhas played positive cricket, not hesitating to sweep the spinners right from the start.
{{/usCountry}}At this point Tehlan took up the challenge and showed some extraordinary maturity in his selection of shots. Skipper Manhas also played some attractive shots at the other end. Manhas played positive cricket, not hesitating to sweep the spinners right from the start.
{{/usCountry}}Faiq, who kept to his middle and leg stump line, finally proved lucky when the Delhi skipper picked substitute Sumanth for catch practice at square-leg.
Virat Kohli (33) chased a wide ball outside the off-stump from speedster Kalyana Krishna to gift Andhra the fourth wicket of the day. The Andhra speedster was again rewarded for his hard work when Rajat Bhatia failed to read an in-cutter and saw his off-stump uprooted while trying to leave a ball.
The credit should go to the Andhra players for keeping their composure despite getting no support from the wicket or the outfield. The condition of the outfield is so pathetic that it was almost impossible for the fielding side to stop even the simplest of drives.
Just who would be responsible if a player picks up a serious injury trying to field here? That’s a question the Andhra Cricket Association needs to answer.