Ranji Trophy: Dhawan holds the key for Delhi

KRISHNAGIRI: After bundling out Team Rajasthan for 221 in the second innings shortly after tea on Day 3 and needing just 153 for a win, it looked as if Delhi had the Ranji Trophy Group B tie here at the Krishnagiri Cricket Stadium in their bag. With Delhi opener Shikhar Dhawan smashing Team Rajasthan's most experienced campaigner Pankaj Singh for three successive fours, they looked in a tearing hurry to chase down the target.
But Team Rajasthan forced Delhi to alter their plans for the morrow by sending skipper Gambhir (2), Unmukt Chand (5) and in-form Rishabh Pant (0) back to the pavilion in quick succession. Dhawan (35 not out) and night watchman Vikas Tokas (5 not out) avoided further damage for Delhi as they ended the day at 51/3. Delhi require just 102 runs more for victory and would be banking on Dhawan to make short work of the target. But if Rajasthan bowlers can claim early wickets on the final day, then Pankaj Singh-led side too would fancy their chances.
Delhi skipper Gambhir trip to Wayanad ended in big disappointment as his innings lasted just seven deliveries in the second essay. Seeing Dhawan getting off to a flying start at the other end, Gambhir fancied his chances against a short-pitch delivery from Pankaj Singh. But his attempted pull was snapped up by Amitkumar Gautam at short-midwicket. Chand followed his captain back to the hut when he was trapped in front by Aniket Choudhary. However, it was season's highest run-getter, Pant, who had to return in the most disappointing fashion as he left without facing a single ball. Dhawan drove straight and called Pant for a single. Pant was a bit slow to respond and Tanvir Ul Haq's throw from mid-off caught the southpaw short of his crease.
Earlier, Rajesh Bishnoi (89) got very little support from fellow batters as Team Rajasthan got bowled out for 221 in the second innings.
In the morning, left-arm pacer Pradeep Sangwan, who replaced Sumit Narwal from the pavilion end, struck off the very second ball to give Delhi the much-needed breakthrough. Team Rajasthan's first innings centurion Amitkumar Gautam, who made a cautious 34 walked back, edging Sangwan into wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant's hands. Three overs later, Sangwan struck again when he had nightwatchman Tanvir Ul Haq miscue a flick and had him caught at short cover by Milind Kumar.
Team Rajasthan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and it was left to Bishnoi to play a lone hand for his team. He looked set for his third first-class century but was in danger of running out of partners and was finally dismissed by Sangwan. His 162-ball innings contained eight fours and four sixes. For Delhi, Sangwan (3/31) and Sharma (3/59) were the pick of the bowlers.
Scoreboard
Team Rajasthan (1st innings): 238
Delhi (1st innings): 307
Team Rajasthan (2nd innings; Overnight 19/1): A Gautam C R Pant b P Sangwan 34, M Singh b M Sharma 14, TM Ul Haq c M Kumar b P Sangwan 6, P Yadav b V Tokas 9, M Lomror c S Narwal b Milind 8, R Bishnoi Sr, S Khan c R Pant b N Saini 4, C Bist b M Kumar 25, D Chahar LBW M Sharma 7, AV Choudhary not out 1, P Singh b M Sharma 2. Extras (NB-4, W-1, LB-8) 22. Total (All out; 85.4 overs) 221. FoW: 1/19, 2/51, 3/58, 4/76, 5/99, 6/143, 7/198, 8/218, 9/218, 10/221.
Bowling: S Narwal 10-1-36-0, N Saini 15-3-29-1, P Sangwan 16-5-31-3, M Sharma 24.4-7-59-3, V Tokas 11-3-30-1, M Kumar 9-1-19-2.
Delhi (2nd innings): R Dhawan batting 35, G Gambhir c A Gautam b P Singh 2, U Chand LBW b A Choudhary 5, R Pant run out TM Ul Haq 0, V Tokas batting 5. Extras (NB-1, W-1, B-1, LB-1) 4. Total (3 wickets; 14 overs) 51. FoW: 1/22, 2/35, 3/35.
Bowling: P Singh 6-2-21-1, A Choudhary 6-1-18-1, M Lomror 1-0-6-0, P Yadav 1-0-4-0.