The numbers 50, 35, 36 may mean nothing in terms of a logical mathematical series. But these figures got together on Tuesday to spell a sequence of tragedy for Delhi. After two near-misses in the previous rounds on account of batting deficiencies, the defending champions conceded the first-innings lead in this Ranji Trophy match, this time done in by umpiring errors.

After heroically battling out one-and-a-half sessions, adding 115 runs in 55.5 overs on the third day against Gujarat, Delhi neither had three points nor enough time to press for an outright victory and grab five. The visitors wound up for 314 in reply to the home side’s first-innings score of 350. Openers Priyank Panchal and Nilesh Modi then scored 76 without parting, taking the overall lead to 112 to set up another drab final day’s play.

Despite Delhi's failure to grab the initiative, the day belonged to Yogesh Nagar, the 18-year old debutant who showed both pragmatism and superstition during his eventful stay at the crease. Wearing the same set of sweat-stained whites that had brought him his first 40 runs on Monday, he used a combination of rock-solid defence and clever nudges to reach his maiden first-class half-century from 142 deliveries. He was the only batsman in the game to figure out where his fourth stump was — anything on it or further outside off was left alone.

The Delhi number seven’s greatest contribution lay in how he donned the mantle of senior partner in a seventh-wicket partnership of 108 with Sumit Narhwal. Threatening to take the match away from Gujarat, Narhwal and Nagar patted each other often, and talked frequently. The Delhi dressing room had started the countdown from 100 when Narhwal was given out lbw to a contentious decision. Resistance broken, and confidence shaken, Delhi took lunch at 280 for 7 and a feeling of slow death started seeping in when Nagar was declared caught behind, another controversial decision by umpire Sameer Bandekar, after an outstanding knock of 79 from 289 minutes.

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