Ranji Trophy 2015 Group A: Ishant Sharma triggers Vidarbha collapse, Delhi bag bonus point

Ishant Sharma ended with match haul of 9-47 including 3-11 in the second innings to skittle Vidarbha out for 98. (Source: AP)

Ishant Sharma’s hostile spell in the morning session of the fourth and final day saw Delhi crush Vidarbha by 10 wickets to log home bonus points from their Ranji Trophy group leg encounter on Sunday.

Ishant, who bowled frighteningly quick on a docile Kotla track, ended with match haul of 9-47 including 3-11 in the second innings to skittle Vidarbha out for 98.

Needing 95 to win, Delhi knocked off the runs in 14.1 overs with Unmukt Chand hitting 51 off 41 balls, striking 9 fours and a six, while skipper Gautam Gambhir’s 44 ball 45 had seven fours.

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Delhi now has 8 points from 2 games.

In the morning, Vidarbha lost six wickets for 51 runs.

Ishant’s second innings spell read 11-6-11-3 but figures alone won’t tell the story. He was letting it rip. Ganesh Sathish played 73 balls for his 10 as he was hit on the helmet. He played and missed before Ishant got one to rise off length as Sathish gave catch at short leg.

Ishant’s best dismissal was of Jitesh Sharma (9), when the batsman was squared and the bail clipped.

In between, Pradeep Sangwan (3/30) and Manan Sharma (3/31) also got wickets.

Earlier, the Delhi batsman also made it count when they managed 302 in response to Vidarbha’s 298 in the first innings.

Gambhir top-scored with a patient 96, while Nitish Rana (61) and lower-order batsmen Manan Sharma (53) and Sarang (42) also made valuable contributions.

In the next set of matches between October 15 and 18, Delhi will play Haryana, while Vidarbha will take on Karnataka.

Brief Scores: Vidarbha 298 & 98 (Ishant Sharma 3/11)

Delhi 302 & (target 94) 96/0 in 14.1 overs (Unmukt Chand 51 no, Gautam Gambhir 45 no).
Points: Delhi 7, Vidarbha 0.