Sehwag, Gambhir fail to get going as Delhi manage one point

For the second successive time in Delhi’s second round Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat at Surat, Virender Sehwag failed with the bat while Gautam Gambhir’s grind couldn’t get him a big score. It was the most apt setting for Virender Sehwag. A day back, assistant coach Bantu Singh had said that the circumstance Delhi found themselves in was ideal for a Sehwag special. Delhi had to get the hosts, who were 89/4 overnight, quickly. They couldn’t manage to get Gujarat soon enough, but the target of 257 runs in 47 overs was still gettable. However, after Unmukt Chand fell for a duck, Sehwag came in with a positive intent. His 18-ball 15 had one four before he fell to a soft dismissal yet again. He tried to venture out of the crease but the ball from left-arm spinner Akshar Patel beat him and he was stumped by Parthiv Patel. In the first innings, Sehwag had holed out to mid-on, the ball hitting the bottom of his bat. Once Sehwag was gone, Delhi’s chances of a win were gone. Gambhir and Manhas then batted to save the game before the Delhi skipper was dismissed for 44, out leg before. Soon after, stumps were drawn. Delhi were 100/3 in 32 overs. Gujarat got three points on first innings while Delhi took home one. Delhi play Mumbai in Mumbai in the next round. Earlier, a lion-hearted effort from bowlers – Sumit Narwal (3), Vikas Mishra (4) and Parvinder Awana (2) helped Delhi dismiss Gujarat for 231.

Scores

Gujarat 320 & 231 (Parthiv Patel 56, Vikas Mishra 4/83, Sumit Narwal 3/42, Parvinder Awana 2/34) vs Delhi 295 & 100/3 (Gautam Gambhir 44, Virender Sehwag 15, Mithun Manhas 32*)