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Chopra, Kohli miss double centuries

Special Correspondent

— Photo: S. Subramanium

HOWZAT! Asad Ali is delighted after picking up the wicket of Mithun Manhas.

NEW DELHI: Aakash Chopra and Virat Kohli missed their double centuries but Delhi prospered through their partnership to finish at 516 for four in its second innings in the Mohammad Nissar Trophy match against Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) at the Ferozeshah Kotla here on Wednesday.

Resuming at 242 for one, Delhi, 384 ahead, was contemplating declaration when rain lashed the venue. The Kotla resembled a swimming pool creating doubts of any possibility of play on the final day. However, Radhey Shyam Sharma, Chief of ground staff, promised some play by afternoon if it did not rain further.

Continuing dominance

Chopra and Kohli promptly knocked off the runs to reach their centuries. Chopra needed seven runs and Kohli nine. They continued their dominance relentlessly and runs came in a fluent manner as Chopra guided his young partner and the SNGPL attack proved clueless on a pitch that had eased considerably.

Chopra and Kohli had read the pitch well enough to show a judicious approach when it came to shot selection. Chopra concentrated on launching the new season on a promising note, while Kohli, with a penchant for big scores from his junior days, picked up his lessons well.

Insisting that his innings was not a message to anyone, Chopra said, “The idea is to make runs and hope to play for India again. “It feels great to make runs but it would have been better if I had got my double century. No regrets though because we have lot of games ahead. I enjoyed my batting.” Incidentally, Chopra had begun the last season with a double century against South Africa ‘A’ at this very venue.

Chopra, who batted 315 balls and hit 21fours, was bowled in an unfortunate fashion when the ball hit the thigh pad and rolled on to the stumps. Kohli’s dismissal was in stark contrast as the youngster attempted an expansive stroke on the leg-side and was castled after having batted sensibly for 274 balls. His knock contained 29 fours and a six.

The scores:

Delhi — 1st innings: 134.

SNGPL — 1st innings: 266.

Delhi — 2nd innings: Aakash Chopra b Adil Raza 182, Virender Sehwag c Asad Ali b Imran Ali 37, Virat Kohli b Asad Ali 197, Mithun Manhas b Asad Ali 10, Rajat Bhatia (batting) 32, Mayank Tehlan (batting) 24; Extras (b-11, lb-4, nb-13, w-6): 34; Total (for four wkts. in 124 overs): 516.

Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-431, 3-455, 4-457.

SNGPL bowling: Asad Ali 36-8-98-2, Imran Ali 30-2-121-1, Adil Raza 23-0-112-1, Mohammad Hafeez 5-0-36-0, Imran Khalid 23-2-100-0, Azhar Shafiq 7-1-34-0.

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