The national selectors, surprisingly, snubbed this fixture, which would have provided a good opportunity to catch the pulse of fringe cricketers for the Test team. That didn’t seem to affect Virat Kohli and Aakash Chopra though. Long before the clouds opened up, it was raining boundaries at the Ferozeshah Kotla.

But despite their sterling second innings effort — Kohli got 197 and Chopra 182 — Delhi’s chances of retaining the Mohammad Nissar Trophy are as good as over, despite finishing Day Three at 516/4, a total lead of 384 runs.

Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited had taken a big first-innings lead and if they manage to get through tomorrow without getting bowled out, will take home the trophy for the first time since its inception.

Tragic endings

The day belonged to Kohli and Chopra, both of whose innings ended in a tragic fashion as they approached well-deserved double-hundreds. Kohli got stuck in the 190s for 25 balls before being bowled, while one sneaked past to clip Chopra’s leg-stump after the opener had played a flawless 182.

The duo had adopted an aggressive stance, driving with comfort through the covers and mid-off. Chopra took 166 balls to get to three figures while Kohli got there in 162. The partnership swelled to 349 runs as Delhi took a lead of 263, but just as they prepared for a final assault, the new ball taken in the 83rd over, right after lunch, changed the equation.

The visitors bowled a negative line — swinging the ball from wide outside off, suing bouncers to good effect, and backing all that with an open field.

... contd.