New Delhi: A fiery spell of seam bowling by Samad Fallah helped the underdogs Maharashtra take a slender first innings lead of three runs in their group B Ranji Trophy clash against Delhi at the Roshanara Club Ground here today.
Maharashtra who posted 196 in the first innings rode on Fallah’s 5-67 to bowl Delhi out for 193. Fallah was well complemented by Nikit Dhumal with his 3-32.
Even though they took a lead, it might hardly decide the course of the match as two days are yet to be played.
Delhi starting the day on 60-3 got off to a good start with veteran Mithun Manhas and Vaibhav Rawal putting up a good stand for the fourth wicket. But it was Manhas’ wicket that triggered a collapse and opened the floodgates.
Manhas and Rawal stitched a crucial 59 runs partnership before the latter was dismissed by Nikit Dhumal for 28. Rajat Bhatia was the next to go and two quick wickets pegged them back.
Rawal kept Delhi’s scoreboard ticking and it was looking that Delhi would take the first innings lead.
But he was dismissed by Dhumal with their scoreboard reading 182-9. Rawal 65 runs in his 157-ball innings and struck eight boundaries. Pawan Suyal was looking enterprising and a six and a four cut down the gap to three points. But he was unfortunately out trying to heave one more over the top of mid-wicket.
Maharashtra ended the day on three for no loss.
By Indian Sports News Network