Memories from domestic cricket’s big date

“It has to be the 1982-83 match. I got a hundred in the second innings and it was the first time I had gone to open the innings. I then dropped Sunil Gavaskar on 52,and he went on to hit 252. But it was Dilip (Vengsarkar) who was responsible for our loss. Dilip had got out very soon after he had scored a ton. Sunil told him that he shouldn’t have got out after he got his hundred and could have played longer. Dilip,in jest I guess,asked Sunil to follow his own advice. And Gavaskar,just to show Dilip how it has to be done,went to to grind Delhi single-handedly.”

Sanjeev Sharma,Delhi assistant coach

It was in the 1989-90 season and I got a five-wicket haul at the Ferozeshah Kotla. I remember it well,it was a typically flat Kotla wicket and bowling was a real struggle. Mumbai had a high-profile line-up that included Lalchand Rajput,Sanjay Manjrekar,Sachin Tendulkar,Vinod Kambli,Chandrakanth Pandit,Shishir Hattangadi. It was a closely fought game and Delhi went on to concede the first innings lead by just 1 run when left-arm spinner Sandal Patil trapped Atul Wassan leg before. It was heart-breaking for the entire team.

Praveen Amre,Mumbai coach

Very interestingly,as a player I have never been part of Delhi-Mumbai match although I have enjoyed many Duleep Trophy matches against North. However,my most memorable Delhi-Mumbai match as a coach was last year’s semi-final when we were 80/4 down and Abhishek Nayar went on to score 156 and turned the tables on Delhi. Semi-final is always a crucial game,just one match can ruin your entire season,and I am glad with the way the team fought back and then went on to the win the title.

Virat Kohli,Delhi batsman

I have heard a lot about the rivalry between the two teams. But my favourite match has to in the 2007 season when we beat Mumbai on first innings at the Wankhede,the same year when we went on to win the Ranji Trophy. I personally didn’t get to score too much in that game but to watch Gautam (Gambhir) take charge and score that century was inspiring. It was great sight to watch Gautam in full flow scoring an unbeaten 137,and somehow he seem to give that little bit extra against them. I hope this match I will make it even more memorable personally.

Wasim Jaffer,Mumbai skipper

It was my first season and it was the final at Gwalior in 1997,the only time Ranji Trophy was final was played under lights. Delhi did really well in a chase of 650 runs and then the next day,they collapsed. Personally,I have a few memorable knocks against Delhi,I scored 267 at the Ferozeshah Kotla in 2005,that was one of my best knocks and before that in 2003-04 season if I am right,at Jamia Milia ground when we beat Delhi by 10 wickets,chasing 185. I got 117 runs and it was satisfying because of the victory margin.