Virender Sehwag wakes up in Delhi chill

NEW DELHI: The famed flamboyance, which has been missing for a while, returned to the spotlight in the Monday chill as Virender Sehwag hammered the Rajasthan bowlers, mesmerised the smattering of fans and most importantly took his team past Rajasthan's 141 to ensure minimum three points from the curtailed Ranji Trophy match.
While this characteristic match-turning Sehwag blitzkrieg came after a long gap, his 90-ball 63 did settle a few jangled nerves in the Delhi team, including that of the batsman at the other end, Unmukt Chand, who survived an early dropped chance and a missed stumping.Coming in at a tricky 222, one knew the talisman was in his elements as Sehwag's effortless late cuts started speeding past the point and third-man fielders. As Sehwag settled down nicely, Unmukt too steadied his game and finished the day unbeaten on 87 with an assured Mithun Manhas at the other end.
With the dense fog clearing after gobbling up almost half of the day's play, Sehwag's innings reduced the effect of the time lost in the match. On show was this elderly statesman showing his class and also doing his bit to guide the talented Unmukt through the tricky periods. The day-end score of 2013 could have looked more menacing for Rajasthan had Sehwag's ferocious pull off Shailender Gehlot not found the fielder at mid-wicket.
The momentum was already with the Delhi team. All Unmukt and Manhas had to ensure was that it didn't slip away with the light fading quickly. For Unmukt, waiting for the big runs, Sehwag's innings couldn't have come at a better time. "That's what a senior player does and that's why Viru has been batting in the middle order. I am happy with the runs Unmukt has made. He settled down in the later part of the day and gave himself a chance to score big tomorrow," Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya said.
Going by how the weather has been, Delhi, ahead already by 60 runs, would be hoping to force the issue on the third day to go for an outright win."If the weather holds up and we start on time, we are looking at batting for another session," Dahiya informed.
Gambhir wants match shifted
With the weather reputed to be notorious this time of the year in Delhi, it is difficult to understand why the Indian cricket board (BCCI) slotted Ranji ties to be played here for the second consecutive year. It is learnt that Delhi captain Gautam Gambhir has written to the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) to shift the next match, from December 28, from Delhi to their opponent Gujarat's home.
"We are ready to let go one home match as long as we get a full game. This happened last year as well. We have spoken to BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel and the game development officer Ratnakar Shetty and they have assured they will seriously consider our request," DDCA vice president Chetan Chauhan told TOI. It is also learnt that Punjab have also requested the board to shift their match.