VADODARA: Delhi started their Ranji Trophy campaign in a resounding fashion as they wallopped last edition’s semi-finalists Assam by an innings and 83 runs on Sunday.
Having piled up a gigantic first innings score of 589 for 8 and taking a 396-run lead, Delhi bowled out Assam for 313 in their second essay to log home a maximum seven points including a bonus point.
For Delhi, it was left-arm spinner Manan Sharma, who grabbed a career-best 5/108 in 26.3 overs while left-arm seamer Pradeep Sangwan (2/40) and slow left-armer Varun Sood (2/81) chipped in with vital breakthroughs.
Needing seven wickets on the final day after Assam started the proceedings at 100 for three, Delhi bowlers kept up the pressure from the start. The first breakthrough in the morning was provided by pacer Navdeep Saini, who got left-handed Amit Verma (35) to edge one to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps.
Once the 62-run stand was broken, the other overnight batsman KB Arun Karthik (34) was snapped up by skipper Unmukt Chand off Sood’s bowling to have Assam reeling at 121 for five.
As the end looked imminent, Assam’s middle-order provided some resistance.
Brief Scores: Delhi 589/8 decl bt Assam 193 and 313 in 96.3 overs (J Syed Mohammed 82, Manan Sharma 5/108) by innings & 83 runs.
{{/usCountry}}Brief Scores: Delhi 589/8 decl bt Assam 193 and 313 in 96.3 overs (J Syed Mohammed 82, Manan Sharma 5/108) by innings & 83 runs.
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