Experience, youth star in Delhi reply
After bundling out Vidarbha for 298, Delhi received an early jolt when opener Unmukt Chand was run-out at the stroke of lunch on the second day. At 12 for one, Nitish Rana — making his debut — was slated to come in at No.3. However, it was medium-pacer Pradeep Sangwan who walked out.
Sangwan, in the company of his captain, stuck to the task of accumulating runs at a trickle. Delhi, fielding a relatively young team, were prepared to play safe. In the hour after lunch, the hosts managed to score only 13 runs in 11 overs. Sangwan, after making 8 off 37 deliveries, was caught behind. At two down for 25, the Delhi innings was starting to stutter. The decision to promote Sangwan remained baffling. But Rana, who arrived at the wicket, did not disappoint. The south-paw played three exquisite strokes early in his innings – a punch through the covers off, a straight drive and a cover drive off. He also rotated the strike and along with Gambhir took Delhi to 80/2 at tea.
In the final session, Delhi shut shop, more intent in conserving wickets. Rana, who had played with flair in the afternoon session, decided to adopt his captain’s risk-free approach. In the final session, which comprised 31 overs, Delhi would score only 52 runs. Ishant Sharma continued to impress with his hostile pace and seam movement in the morning session. He bowled five overs in the opening spell, in which he got rid of wicket-keeper Jitesh Shah. He then came back to mop the tail and finish with figures of 6/36.
Brief Scores: Vidarbha 298 all out (Faiz Fazal 55, S Badrinath 44, Ishant Sharma 6/36) vs Delhi 132/2 (G Gambhir 62 batting, N Rana 57 batting).
