Ranji Trophy: Delhi beat Odisha outright, get full points

New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) Delhi bounced back after their terrible loss to Uttar Pradesh last week to score an emphatic 10-wicket win over Odisha in their Ranji Trophy Group B match at the Feroz Shah Kotla here Monday.

Delhi skipper Shikhar Dhawan (55 not out) and Under-19 captain Unmukt Chand (23 not out) chased down an 82-run target in 15 overs. The home team collected the full seven points, including one bonus for the 10-wicket win.

Delhi took control of the match right from the moment they dismissed Odisha for 143 on day one. Mithun Manhas (161 not out) helped them gain a healthy lead as they ended with 331. Odisha made 269 in their second innings.

Dhawan, in his aggressive style, brought his half-century off 47 balls and finished off the match in style, hitting his ninth boundary through the covers.

Earlier in the day, the visitors added 40 more runs to their overnight score of 229/6 before being bowled out.

Delhi pacer Pawan Suyal took the second five-wicket haul of his first class career as he claimed three wickets in the morning session, to add to his two yesterday. He took three wickets in the first innings for a match haul of eight. The 23-year-old Suyal first got rid of Odisha skipper Natraj Behera (45), who edged a seaming delivery to wicket-keeper Puneet Bisht.

Suyal was on a hat-trick as he, with his next delivery, dispatched Basanta Mohanty (0). The left-armer took his fifth wicket when he dismissed Deepak Behera (23), caught in the second slip by Chand.

Sumit Narwal, who did not bowl this morning, ended with figures of 3/41.

“I am happy and pleased the way my team played, every player performed his role well and I am glad we also took good catches,” said Dhawan, who scored his 23rd fifty of his first-class career.

Talking about their next match against Baroda, Dhawan said: “Well we have a game plan. We will bowl in particular areas. Not having Irfan Pathan in that match is obviously good news for us, but his brother Yusuf is doing pretty well.”

Irfan injured his knee while playing against Karnataka in the first round of the tournament.

Delhi’s chief coach Vijay Dahiya was also pleased with the victory.

“Getting seven points is most pleasing. Getting off the mark was important and we have done that,” said Dahiya.

While Delhi play Baroda at home, Odisha go to Lahli to take on Haryana.

IANS 2012-11-12 16:46:10