Delhi: Delhi snatched a narrow first-innings lead in their Ranji Trophy clash against Odisha at Jamia Milia Islamia ground here on Sunday.
With just a day’s play left, the Elite Group D fixture is headed for a draw, hence the teams were locked in a battle to take the lead. In what was a close contest, Delhi managed 451 in their first innings – 11 more than Odisha.
Like Odisha, Delhi had two centurions in U-19 World Cup-winning captain Yash Dhull (112) and Jonty Sidhu (105 not out).
Resuming Day 3 on 187/2 in reply to Odisha’s 440, Delhi lost three wickets in the first session to give the visitors hope. When the promising 21-year-old Dhull was dismissed for a well-compiled century shortly before lunch, Delhi were in a spot of bother at 266/5.
However, Odisha were thwarted by Sidhu and Kshitij Sharma (64), who added 147 priceless runs for the sixth wicket.
Odisha may have found a window of opportunity with Delhi at 420/7. But the left-handed Sidhu guided Delhi past the Odisha total in the company of tailenders and remained unbeaten.
Left-arm spinner Jamala Bhanjan Mohapatra, making his first-class debut at the age of 33, nagged 3/63, while Biplab Samantaray, Govinda Poddar and Sunil Roul took two wickets each.
Brief Scores
Odisha 440.
Delhi 451 (Yash Dhull 112, Jonty Sidhu 105*, Kshitij Sharma 64; JB Mohapatra 3/63, Biplab Samantaray 2/34, Govinda Poddar 2/66, Sunil Roul 2/116).
Match to continue on 4th and final day.
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