Bidhuri takes Delhi forward against Rajasthan

NEW DELHI: There have been very few positives coming out of Delhi's domestic season across formats. As they near the end of an underwhelming campaign, the emergence of pace-bowling allrounder

Kunwar Bidhuri

will give them hope for the next season.


Bidhuri was in his elements against Rajasthan on the second day of their last league game of the

Ranji

Trophy on Thursday.

Resuming the day on 389/6, the left-handed batsman turned on the heat on a flat Kotla deck and ensured there was no breathing space for Rajasthan. He smacked 111 off 135 balls to help Delhi post 623 before bowling a probing newball spell of 1/17. The visitors were reeling at 115/4 at stumps.

The 23-year-old's knock stood out even as his overnight partner Kshitiz Sharma labored for his 103 off 212 balls. In contrast, Delhi's other heavy scorers scored at a strike rate close to 70. Now nearly 30, Kshitiz, who was selected amidst controversy, took his time as the Delhi camp waited for him to get his maiden first-class century. "I can only control the controllable. This is day's cricket and you have all the time in the world. I was just enjoying myself in the middle," he said.

As for the 23-year-old Bidhuri, there was purpose and intent in his approach. "There was no such plan of Kshitiz holding one end. I batted normally. We needed to score at a brisk rate to have more time to bowl them out twice," he said.