Last Update: January 13, 2023, 21:18 IST
Himmat Singh plays a shot during the Ranji Trophy.
Inexplicably dropped from the playing XI in the previous away game against Saurashtra, Himmat came back with a bang as he smashed 10 fours and three sixes in his 104 off 204 balls as Delhi posted 488/9 in their first innings.
New Delhi: Himmat Singh’s stylish hundred coupled with a blistering 65-run last-wicket partnership between tailenders Harshit Rana and Divij Mehra fetched Delhi three crucial points against Andhra in their Ranji Trophy Group B match here on Friday.
However, with only five points from five matches, Delhi are out of the competition and even two bonus-point wins in the next two games against title contenders Mumbai and wooden spooners Hyderabad will not take them into the top-two of the group .
Inexplicably dropped from the playing XI in the previous away game against Saurashtra, Himmat came back with a bang as he smashed 10 fours and three sixes in his 204-ball 104 as Delhi posted 488/9 in the first innings. scored.
This was after Andhra declared their first essay at 459/9.
However, Himmat became the ninth wicket to fall at 423 and Delhi were still 33 runs short with one wicket in hand.
But credit must be given to debutant Divij (32 not out) and equally novice Harshit (33 not out) as they kept their composure.
Andhra captain Hanuma Vihari’s trick to ask his fast bowlers KV Sasikanth Nitish Kumar Bowling short with the field up, there was no point for Reddy as both the batsmen scored some easy runs.
Just before the start of the mandatory overs, the players shook hands as Delhi ensured their first respectable performance of the season.
While in-form Dhruv Shorey’s brilliant 185 off 311 balls laid the foundation, the talented Himmat kept the team afloat with his audacious strokeplay, mixing caution with aggression.
Against left-arm spinner Lalit Mohan, he hit two maximums down the ground while off-spinner Shoaib Mohammad Khan was hit for a six over long-on. His aerial celebration was indicative of what he must have been through after being dismissed in the last game.
Lakshya Thareja, despite limited batting ability, helped Himmat put on a 40-run partnership for the sixth wicket after Shorey was dismissed after their 156-run partnership.
However, at 406 for 5, Delhi slumped to 423/9, but credit goes to Harshit and Divij for giving some respectability to the team’s disastrous campaign.
At last just one word for Captain Yash Dhull. Though he is a young captain, he has lost a bit of respect in the dressing room due to his shying away from challenging situations and situations.
It is learned that he could not be persuaded to open or come at No.3 in conditions that aided seam and swing. Not once in the last four games did he want to come out when the chips were down.
It will be interesting to see if DDCA president Rohan Jaitley stays with a man whose temperament, more than his technique, has been in question in every game.
short number
In Delhi: Andhra 459/9 declared. Delhi 488/9 in 147 overs (Dhruv Shorey 185, Himmat Singh 104, Harshit Rana 33 not out, Nitish Reddy 3/90).
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)