Run-machine Chiranjeevi faces stern test

The No.4 batsman was batting on three when rain and bad light forced early close of play. Andhra has played all their games on batting wickets so this will be a stern test for Chiranjeevi. “I have an eye on a Ranji call up but I know it will come if I continue to bat well,” Chiranjeevi said.

Andhra look good to take the first innings lead. They were at 113 for two in 45 overs,while Delhi’s innings had folded up for 169.

Eighteen-year-old Chiranjeevi knows that he cannot afford to fail as everyone in the team has got used to expecting runs from his blade. But the Andhra mainstay knows that the Roshanara wicket has proved to be the waterloo of many a fine batsman. “A batsman can’t play his shots freely on this track. The wicket is seamer-friendly. One has to bide his time on this wicket,” Chiranjeevi said.

There is a lot at stake in this Delhi-Andhra semifinal. The winner or the team which takes the first innings lead will get a berth in next season’s Elite division.

“If we advance it will be great as we will get to play tougher opposition next year. Playing in the Elite division will help us improve as players. I am looking forward to playing against the Elite Division teams next season. But first I have a task at hand and that is to ensure that we get the better of Delhi.” Chiranjeevi will be well-advised to take a leaf out of the book of the openers — Prasanth Kumar and Siva Charan Singh— who put on 99 in difficult conditions. Unlike a majority of the Delhi batsmen,the Andhra top order played a wait-and-watch game,which was largely risk free.

The Delhi bowlers were way off the mark and didn’t utlise the new ball well. On a wicket that demanded a consistent line and length from the bowlers,Delhi’s medium pacers were wayward.

Kumar completed his half-century before he was castled by a delivery from medium-pacer Amit Bakshi,one that pitched in line of middle stump and went on to hit the off-stump. Bakshi picked up his second wicket with a similar delivery. Andhra need another 59 runs to take the first innings lead. A lot depends on Chiranjeevi.

Brief scores: Delhi 1st Innings 169 vs Andhra 1st Innings 113 for 2 in 45 overs (Prasanth Kumar 57,Siva Charan Singh 37; Amit Bakshi 2/33)