Another Gambhir special sees Delhi through to Ranji final

Indore, January 8: India could be facing a dilemma over openers in the ongoing tour of Australia, but Delhi—thanks to the Indian selectors’ decision in resting Gautam Gambhir—have had no such problems.

On the contrary, the left-handed opening batsman—in smashing form this season following his Twenty20 pursuits—has been among the top performers in the Ranji Trophy.

Having already notched up two hundreds in three matches so far, he came up with his third on the fourth day of the Super League semi-final against Baroda today.

An entertaining 132, laced with 23 boundaries, at a strike rate of 74, eventually helped Delhi book their berth in the final, against Uttar Pradesh, with a resounding seven-wicket victory.

Incidentally, the opener finds himself out of the national team after the selectors had announced—prior to the tour of Australia—that he was suffering from a sore shoulder.

With regular opening partner Aakash Chopra rested on Day four, after being admitted to the hospital following complaints of giddiness and nausea, Gambhir opened the innings with Shikhar Dhawan.

He took the attack to the opposition with unrestricted strokeplay as Dhawan (49) kept company at the other end. A crucial 136-run opening stand helped Delhi eye the 271-run chase with ease.

With Gambhir attacking Baroda’s spinners, Dhawan ensured he kept the strike rotating. Gambhir completed his hundred by hitting boundaries on both sides of the wicket.

Gambhir was particularly severe with left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar and off-spinner Yusuf Pathan, in trying to get better with his strike rate.

After hitting three consecutive boundaries off Pathan in his 15th over, Gambhir was caught at short mid-wicket while attempting a fourth one. Lucky to get away, he later gave his side just the start that later enabled No 3 and 4 batsmen prosper further.

Earlier in the day, overnight batsman Yusuf Pathan, resuming on 86, slammed his second Ranji hundred before Baroda were bundled out for 342 runs.

With this, Delhi are all set to take on former champions Uttar Pradesh at the Wankhede Stadium on January 16. About their next opponents, Gambhir said: “They are a good side and they have also done really well this season. We are hoping to continue the same show.”

Brief scores: Baroda 199 and 342 (Y Pathan 113, R Solanki 96; R Bhatia 3/42) vs Delhi 271 and 272/3 (G Gambhir 132, S Dhawan 48)

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