Khoda resists, but Bhandari’s old tricks reign

He is one of those regular faces of Ranji Trophy, the old warhorses of domestic cricket, always rising to the occasion...

He is one of those regular faces of Ranji Trophy, the old warhorses of domestic cricket, always rising to the occasion when the team’s in a spot and almost always reliable.

He may have not saved his team from defeat but Gagan Khoda did delay the inevitable with his sturdy knock of 71 against Delhi, while his close friend from ONGC, Amit Bhandari -who plays for the opposing team -took his three hundredth wicket for Delhi becoming only the second medium pacer after Madan Lal from the Capital to do so.

Shafiq Khan from Rajasthan was his 300th. The former right hand bat from Haryana had played the ball directly towards mid-wicket where Kuunal Lall happily obliged with a simple catch.

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His achievements may prove nothing and may not even add to his chances of making it back into the national side, but he did prove that at a time when hopes are being put on the youth brigade, that the importance of experience in the team has definitely not diminished.

From coming out of a shoulder operation last year to being criticised by many over his drop in pace — even his decision to stay in the team this year was not taken well by some, he has come a long way.

But the Delhi veteran’s feat today proved even if you don’t call him in best form, he surely isn’t over yet. “We bowl at pitches on which bowling even at your hundred percent may fetch you nothing. Here you have to bend your backs till it hurts. My reaching this feat does not really prove anything. I think it should be used as an inspiration for this newer crop of pacers,” Bandhari said after the match.

Some see him approaching the end of his career – maybe a couple of more seasons — but he’d beg to differ. Giving up is not an option for him.

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Bandhari took only two wickets today, but they were crucial ones. His contribution was excellent in the first innings as well.

The day, however, didn’t just belong to the seniors. Rajasthan pacer Pankaj Singh today acquired another five-wickets haul, taking his match tally to ten, Debutant Robin Bisht scored his maiden fifty today. Though wickets kept tumbling at the other end he stayed ever defiant scoring at will.

He was unbeaten on 50 at stumps along with Shailendra Gehlot at the other end. His team is struggling at 188 for 7 and will probably not survive the first session tomorrow giving Delhi an outright win.

Leggie Chetanya Nanda gave Delhi the break. He got rid of Khoda just when he was looking difficult to beat. Khoda — suffering from a minor hamstring injury — stepped forward to smash the bowler, but flicked it towards mid-wicket where Shikhar Dhawan made no mistake.

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His dismissal signalled the collapse. Earlier, Delhi started on their overnight 317/4 and were bowled for the addition of just 70 runs.

Manhas reached his hundred and was bowled on next ball by Pankaj Singh and after Rajat Bhatia (83) departed the visitors wasted no time in finishing off the Delhi tail. On Day Four the tourists need to chase 234 more for victory, a highly unlikely target to reach.

Brief scores: Delhi 119 and 388 in 109.5 overs (Virat Kohli 106, Mittun Manhas 100 ; Pankaj Singh 5/110, Shailendra Gehlot 4/97) vs Rajasthan 85 and 188/7 in 61 overs (Gagan Khoda 71, Robin Bisht (batting) 50, Chetanya Nanda 3/61).

Bhandari vitals

Amit Bhandari (29)

Teams: India and Delhi

Matches: 90*

Wickets: 301

Best bowling innings: 7/92

Average: 26.76

* The Ranji super league match against Rajasthan is still on so the figures may change on Wednesday.