Milind,Rajat secure three points for Delhi

Delhi made a steady start to their season by securing the first three points on offer after taking the first innings lead against Haryana.

Delhi made a steady start to their season by securing the first three points on offer after taking the first innings lead against Haryana. Milind Kumar (119),who made his debut in this game,and Rajat Bhatia (107) played vital roles for the hosts,helping the team take a 59-run lead.

In their second innings,Haryana were 94 for 2 at stumps on Day Three. Delhi enjoyed a profitable first session on Saturday,securing the first innings lead even as Kumar joined the elite club of those who made a hundred on debut. He reached the landmark with a back-foot punch towards midwicket off a short of length delivery from leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.

Shortly Rajat Bhatia registered his 10th hundred. He moved from 92 to the three-figure mark by finding the mid-wicket boundary ropes and followed it with a six over long-on both shots off Chahal.

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Haryana tried to restrict the damage by bowling slightly wide of the stumps,a tactic that only highlighted their desperation. Milind looked set for a bigger score but fell when he edged one to the wicket-keeper and then Delhis glove man Punit Bisht fell cheaply. Before lunch Bhatia was bowled for 107.

Tail wags

After the break,another debutant Pawan Negi,coming in at No.7 did his best to prolong Delhis batting stint. He hit an unbeaten 30 before running out of partners. Delhi eventually folded up 66 minutes after lunch.

Rishit Saini was another Delhi cricketer playing his maiden first-class game. He dismissed Haryana opener Rahul Dewan,while Bhatia removed the other opener Nitin Saini,who looked good during his innings of 44.

Brief scores: Haryana 293 & 94 for 2 (Nitin Saini 44,Sunny Singh 38 batting) vs Delhi 352 (Milind Kumar 119,Rajat Bhatia 107,Pawan Negi 30 not out; Sachin Rana 3/68,Amit Vashisht 3/80) on Day Three.

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