Punjab registered a historic win against Delhi on the fourth and final day of their Ranji Trophy match to keep themselves in the race for the knockout round.
It was a remarkable fightback by Punjab as they began the match on a disastrous note by getting all out for a paltry 74 on Day One but managed to win the intensely contested match by 98 runs on the fourth and final day at the Roshanara Club ground here on Wednesday.
Resuming the day at 60 for 3, and needing 267 more to win, Delhi got out for 228 runs in 91.3 overs despite Rajat Bhatia's valiant 100-run knock. The hosts lost steam in the first hour of the morning session only when their two best batsmen — Gautam Gambhir (30) and Virender Sehwag (12) — returned to pavilion within a space of 14 balls. After that it was all about surviving.
“We should’ve played better in the first innings. After dismissing them for 74 in the first innings, we shouldn’t have got out for 150 in the first innings. The wicket was difficult but we should have at least scored more than 200,” rued Bhatia after the match. “We gave too many chances to Jiwanjot (Singh),” he added to explain two main reasons that condemned his team to an insulting loss from a dominating position.
Ashish Nehra must be commended for his 128-ball stay in the middle. Though he scored only 16, Nehra provided stability at one end prolonging Delhi’s battle for survival. The 82-run stand, biggest partnership for Delhi in the second innings, between Bhatia and Nehra raised some hopes in the home team’s camp. They were, however, dashed by the shoddy batting by the remaining batsmen.
Once Nehra was dismissed by Gurkeerat Mann, Rahul Yadav too followed him off the very next ball. Delhi went from 165 for 5 to 165 for 7 in just two balls. Yadav’s flashy cover drive ended in Yuvraj Singh’s safe hands at first slip. Unlike Delhi, Punjab grabbed their chances with both hands.
Punjab opener Jiwanjot Singh, who got the man of the match award for his century in the second innings, was satisfied with his contribution in the victory. “Our hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals are alive after this win. This century is satisfying as the wicket was difficult to bat on and the opposition had quality bowlers. Also a lot of people said that opposition will sort me out in my second season. So it was a big boost to my confidence. Also words of encouragement from coach (Bhupinder Singh Sr.) helped,” Jiwanjot said.
Punjab seamers Manpreet Gony (3/51) and Jaskaran Singh (3/45) were the constructors of this win.
With six points from this match, Punjab (23 points) have climbed up the ladder and are now fourth in the points table.
For Delhi, it seems an end of the road as even an outright win with bonus point against their next opponent and Group A table toppers Karnataka can’t guarantee them a place in the knockout round. Delhi will have to depend a lot on other teams.
Brief Scores
Punjab: 74 and 402 beat Delhi: 150 and 228 (Rajat Bhatia 100, Gautam Gambhir 30, Virender Sehwag 12, Jaskaran Singh 3/45, Manpreet Gony 3/51) by 98 runs.