Kotak, Pujara flay Delhi attack

As the sun took to the sky at the Madhav Rao Scindia stadium here today the heat was immediately felt in Delhi8217;s dressing room.

As the sun took to the sky at the Madhav Rao Scindia stadium here today the heat was immediately felt in Delhi8217;s dressing room. And the script remained true throughout Day One of the Delhi-Saurashtra Ranji Trophy Elite group 8216;A8217; tie.

At stumps the hosts were comfortably posted at 284 for 3, with Sitanshu Kotak going strong on 92. Accompanying him was Cheteshwar Pujara, who remained not out on 85.

With three in-form pacers in their ranks and a green-top in view, Delhi skipper Mitthun Manhas opted to go for the attack. But the move backfired as Delhi failed to reap harvest from the pitch as Sausrashtra8217;s openers Kanaiya Vaghela and Sagar Jogyani took full advantage of the wayward Delhi attack led by the experienced Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma.

The judicious stroke play from the Saurashtra openers completely nullified the Delhi bowlers. Neither Nehra, nor Ishant were able to produce anything of note with the new ball and it was only in the 12th over that Delhi got their first wicket in form of Vaghela when the score was 50.

Nehra was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped two wickets in quick succession. First he scalped Vaghela for 17 and then snared Prashant Joshi in his next over.

At the other end, Sagar kept the score board moving with support from Sitanshu Kotak. Both of them put up a partnership of 76 runs.

Sagar8217;s chanceless essay came to an abrupt end when a toe-crusher from Ishant rattled his leg stump.

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Sagar8217;s departure brought last-match hero Cheteshwar Pujara to the crease and he continued from where he had left, smashing Ishant for three boundaries in consecutive deliveries. Lack of support for Ishant and Nehra cost Delhi dear as Saurashtra batters scored at will in the latter part of the day. Amit Bhandari, who was making a comeback after a nine-month injury lay-off had a disastrous day in office as he was smashed all over the park.

Even debutant off-spinner Suhail Sharma couldn8217;t capitalise on the rough patches and Kotak, with his adroit footwork, never really allowed him to settle down.

Brief scores: Saurashtra 1st innings: 284 for 3 wkts S Kotak 92 n.o, C Pujara 85 n.o, S Jogiyani 61, Nehra 2/79.