The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Saurashtra defies Delhi attack

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Saturday, Nov 17, 2007
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Sport - Cricket

Saurashtra defies Delhi attack

Special Correspondent

Defensive tactics robs the game of excitement

— Photo: V.V. Krishnan

SLOW GOING: Sitanshu Kotak scored most of the runs behind the wicket at the the Roshnara Club.

NEW DELHI: On a day of listless cricket, Saurashtra hung on to defy the Delhi attack and keep alive its hopes of taking the first innings lead at the end of the second day’s play of the Ranji Trophy Elite league match at the Roshanara ground here on Friday.

Saurashtra was 175 for seven at close when play was called off early due to fading light.

The onus was on Saurashtra to take the initiative since Delhi was content to stick to a tight line and length. Veteran Sitanshu Kotak opted to graft and played an innings in keeping with his reputation, scoring most of his runs behind the stumps. His 203-ball knock contained ten fours before he was the fifth man out.

Slow over rate was an eye sore and Saurashtra’s defensive tactics contributed to rob the few spectators of some good competition. Delhi’s four-man pace attack failed to capitalize on the quick dismissals of S. Jogiyani, Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Jaydev Shah.

Jogiyani was snared by Ishant while Rajat Bhatia, the best bowler on view, picked up three wickets with his steady pace, relying on his ability to vary the speed and make the batsmen play. Bhatia’s performance was the key to Delhi dominating the day’s proceedings.

The scores:

Delhi — 1st innings: 244.

Saurashtra — 1st innings: K. Vaghela b Ishant 3, S. Jogiyani c Chopra b Ishant 25, S. Kotak c Dhawan b Bhatia 77, C. Pujara lbw b Bhatia 11, J. Shah c Bisht b Bhatia 0, P. Mehta c Bisht b Bhandari 27, R. Jadeja c Bisht b Sangwan 1, R. Dhruv (batting) 12, Extras (b-7, lb-4, nb-6, w-2) 19, Total (for seven wickets in 77.2 overs) 175.

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-61, 3-83, 4-83, 5-156, 6-156, 7-175.

Delhi bowling: P. Sangwan 20.2-3-55-1, Ishant Sharma 21-4-61-2 , A. Bhandari 14-7-22=971, R. Bhatia 13-7-9-3, C. Nanda 8-1-16-0, M. Manhas 1-0-1-0.

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