Ranji Trophy: Gautam Gambhir's 95 helps Delhi seal place in semis

VIJAYAWADA: Riding on half-centuries by Gautam Gambhir and Kunal Chandela, Delhi powered to a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Madhya Pradesh on the final day of their five-day Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match at the Dr Gokaraju Laila Gangaraju ACA cricket ground in Mulapadu, here on Monday.
There were no twists or turns in the plot as everything went according to the script. Delhi, were in no mood, to pander to the wishes of Madhya Pradesh, who, after being asked to bat first, were always playing catch up in the game.They would have liked one last chance to make a match of the game but Delhi snuffed off the challenge by counter-attacking the rival bowlers.
Delhi’s strength has been its batting and on the final day, the top order put on a good display. Delhi lost make-shift opener Vikas Tokas (6) in the fourth over of the day when he was snapped up at first slip by Harpreet Singh off pacer Ishwar Pandey.
But there was no cause for worry as Gambhir joined Chandela and Delhi had their regular openers at the crease. The duo did have a couple of anxious moments but nothing threatening. While Gambhir took time to get his eye in, Chandela, who had made 81 in the first innings, kept the scoreboard moving.
Delhi never slackened their pace as they scored around four runs an hour. This meant that Madhya Pradesh were soon running out of time and ideas.
Chandela, who is playing his second Ranji Trophy game, went on to notch up his third half-century. He took 73 balls to reach his 50 as he looked in total command of the proceedings. However, Chandela failed to get to the three-figure mark as his attempted lofted shot off leggie Mihir Hirwani failed to clear Naman Ojha at long on. Chandela (57; 85b, 6x4, 2x6) and Gambhir added 98 for the second wicket off 126 balls.
Gambhir, who reached his 50 off 78 balls, took over and toyed with the Madhya Pradesh attack. With Dhruv Shorey for company, Gambhir was all set for his 42nd First Class century but fell in the most unfortunate situation.
Dhruv hit a Hirwani delivery past the bowler but it ricocheted off Hirwani’s hands onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end catching Gambhir, who had backed up a wee bit more, short of the crease. The 36-year-old Gambhir fell for 95 which came off 129 balls and contained nine fours and a six left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma. Gambhir and Dhruv added 95 for the third wicket.
Dhruv, who had scored 78 in the first innings, couldn’t complete the second half-century of the match as Nitin Rana (6 no) hit Hirwani for a six to finish the proceedings. Dhruv was unbeaten on 46 off 77 balls with six fours.
Harpreet Singh, who scored an unbeaten 107 in the first innings and 78 in the second innings, was adjudged the Man of the Match by Match Referee S Sharath.
SCOREBOARD
Madhya Pradesh (1st Innings): 338.
Delhi (1st Innings): 405.
Madhya Pradesh (2nd Innings): 283.
Delhi (2nd Innings): K Chandela c Ojha b Hirwani 57, V Tokas c Harpreet Singh b Pandey 6, G Gambhir (run out) 95, D Shorey (not out) 46, N Rana (not out) 6; Extras: (B2, LB2, NB2, W1) 7. Total: (For 3 wickets in 51.4 overs) 217.
Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-109, 3-204.
Bowling: I Pandey 6-1-18-1, M Hirwani 16.4-1-84-1, A Sharma 16-2-63-0, P Datey 6-1-21-0, S Sharma 6-0-21-0, C Sakure 1-0-6-0.