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Sound reply by Dhawan, Chopra

Special Correspondent

— Photo: Sandeep Saxena

IN CONTROL: Shikhar Dhawan, in the company of Aakash Chopra, gave a good start to Delhi’s innings against Punjab.

NEW DELHI: Delhi’s sound reply indicated the flair that the team brings to its cricket when the opposition happens to be Punjab. An essay of 142 for no loss by Delhi after restricting Punjab to 391 in its first innings may have pushed the contest into a predictable draw from this stage but the Ranji Trophy Elite match had some quality moments on Tuesday.

In setting most amiable, a placid track and pleasant sun, the batsmen thrived on the second day of the match. Resuming at 237 for five, Punjab carried its score to a respectable platform, thanks essentially to Uday Kaul (95 off 235 balls with 12 fours) and Ankur Kakkar (56 off 83 balls with six fours and one six).

Uday inspired his younger brother Siddharth to produce a lively knock (34 with eight fours) at the end as Punjab set up competition where the tussle now is propelled towards just one direction, the first innings lead.

Brilliant start

Given the brilliant start by Aakash Chopra and Shikhar Dhawan, Delhi is well justified in looking at the possibility with greater optimism. The batsmen have looked in comfort and the bowlers desperate.

The contest may fail in comparison to some stirring battles between Delhi and Punjab in the past but there is enough to look forward to some captivating stuff on Wednesday.

His silken of-drives carried the stamp of quality even as Chopra lit up the field with some delectable pickings off his pads. Chopra (67 off 115 balls with ten fours) and Dhawan (64 off 87 balls with nine fours) created a competition between themselves, setting short targets and achieving them in style to give Punjab a sleepless night.

The Delhi openers looked impeccable in their batting, promising greater entertainment on the third day.

The scores:

Punjab — 1st innings: K. Goel c Kohli b Sangwan 37, Ravi Inder Singh b Nehra 2, S. Sohal c Sangwan b Nanda 110, Yuvraj Singh c S. Dhawan b Sangwan 0, P. Dharmani b nanda 16, Uday Kaul c Bisht b Bhandari 95, Ankur Kakkar c Bisht b Bhandari 56, Gagandeep Singh c Chopra b Nehra 1, M. S. Goni c Dhawan b Sangwan 18, S. Kaul (not out) 34, S. Ladha c Dhawan b Sangwan 3, Extras (lb-7, nb-9, w-3) 19, Total (all out in 133.1 overs) 391.

Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-80, 3-92, 4-139, 5-176.

Delhi bowling: Nehra 34-10-101-2, Bhandari 24-4-86-2, Sangwan 30.1-8-102-4, Bhatia 15-6-27-0, Nanda 30-6-68-2.

Delhi — 1st innings: A. Chopra (batting) 67, S. Dhawan (batting) 64, Extras (b-4, lb-5, nb-2) 11, Total (for no loss in 33.2 overs) 142.

Punjab bowling: Gagandeep 12-1-46-0, Goni 11.2-2-45-0, S. Kaul 7-1-32-0, S. Ladha 3-0-2-0.

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