Delhi and Tamil Nadu gained first innings leads in their Ranji Trophy Super League matches today. Playing here, Delhi moved 59 runs ahead of Maharashtra’s first innings total of 219, while playing in Chennai, the home side took a 11-run first innings lead, wrapping up the Himachal innings quickly.

Maharashtra had a modest total to defend, and Delhi made best use of the equally modest attack line. Aakash Chopra, who was on 12 yesterday, hit up a 73 with eight boundaries, while Mitthun Manhas scored one more.

Veteran Rajat Bhatia, who scalped five Maharashtra wickets yesterday to restrict the home team, was wonderful with the bat as well today, batting on 66, with three fours and two sixes.

His captain, Test discard Virender Sehwag, however, failed to recapture form and was out for 6.

Brief scores:

Maharashtra 219.

Delhi 278/5 (A Chopra 73, M Manhas 74, R Bhatia 66 batting; S Fallah 2/69).

•In Chennai, gaining a slender 11-run first innings lead over Himachal, Tamil Nadu were 19 for one at close on the second day.

Replying to Tamil Nadu’s 234 all out, Himachal, resuming at overnight 10 for one, lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 223. Only wicketkeeper batsman M S Bisla, P Dogra, A Mannu, Sarandeep Singh and V Bhatia managed to reach double figures.

Bisla top-scored with 61 with six hits to the fence while Dogra made a useful 49 (seven fours).

For Tamil Nadu, medium pacer Yo Mahesh was the chief wicket-taker claiming four for 40 and Amarnath (two for 45) and C Suresh (two for 39) also contributed.

... contd.