Delhis hopes hang in balance

Delhis approach was simple from the start see off the first session and capitalise later. But scoring only 64 before lunch proved costly as the batsmen could not hang on for long enough despite getting off to starts. The sequence of 36,38,39,15,and 33 by the top-five told the story as the sustained Saurashtra pace attack,led by Jayesh Odedras maiden five-wicket haul,kept the pressure throughout.

Sticking to basics

The seamers stuck to the basics,bowling fuller outside the off-stump to squeeze out the early morning dew. The batsmen repeatedly missed the line but survived against Sandeep Jobanputras large-hearted 10-over spell that kept the slip cordon busy. The overnight opening pair of Ankur Julka and Aditya Jain did play the occasional drive before Jains off-stump was finally sent cart-wheeling by Odedra for 38.

New skipper Virat Kohlis entry was subdued,especially since debutant Julka gave Delhi the option for having lunch five balls early,with his departure for a laborious 36. Kohli struggled for timing and was distracted by chatter from wicketkeeper Sagar Jogiyani to dole out a catch to second slip,but Ravindra Jadeja spilled the chance. But torn between his natural instinct to be aggressive and teams need for of stability,he managed only 39,in 132 minutes,before being done in by a Sandeep Maniar delivery that cut back sharply.

Playing the first match of the season,Odedra bowled a long,17-over spell with lunch in between. He kept pegging at the batsmen,bringing the ball in occasionally while his stock deliveries either went through straight or gently swayed away. He trapped Mithun Manhas and Mayank Tehlan leg before in the second session,and then stuck again after tea to have Sumit Narwal caught at first slip.

Delhis bailout plan again hovered around the familiar faces of Bisht and Rajat Bhatia,who worked his way to 33 before he was adjudged caught behind to Maniar. Saurashtra took the second new ball after 81.2 overs,but the Delhi tail has wagged so far,adding 47 runs for the eighth wicket in 10 overs.

Brief scores: Saurashtra 328 vs Delhi 262/7 in 90 overs (Punit Bisht 49 no,Ankur Julka 36,Aditya Jain 38,Virat Kohli 39,Rajat Bhatia 33; Jayesh Odedra 5/71,Sandeep Maniar 2/58)