Chopra, Bhatia pull Delhi out of trough

Aakash Chopra’s (85) and Rajat Bhatia’s (81) were innings of maturity and admirable determination. The entire Delhi team was by the ropes, as the two walked into appreciation.

Delhi still need 146 to get to UP’s first innings 342, though. Resuming the day at 297-7, UP had added another 45 with the tailenders.

Kudos to Delhi for surviving the fiery spell from Praveen Kumar, then for recovering from that early dent, and adding 160 for the fifth wicket.

Kumar handled the new ball well, generating pace and bounce on the wicket that also helped swing. Used to lifeless wickets, the Wankhede was a welcome change. Kumar had opener Gautam Gambhir caught in the slips for a duck, got an inside edge off Shikhar Dhawan’s bat and trapped Mitthun Manhas leg-before.

At the other end, Sudeep Tyagi, the highest wicket-taker in Ranji this season, also tasted success. The fourth wicket of Aditya Jain fell as Suresh Raina took a catch in the second slip off Tyagi.

As the ball eventually lost shine, Chopra - usually a man who loves cutting out shots that run close to being risky - belted 15 boundaries. Bhatia, on the other hand, managed his natural game, striking 10 boundaries and three sixes.

Scoreboard

Uttar Pradesh (1st innings) (overnight 292/7): Ravikant Shukla c Manhas b Bhatia 96, Bhuvanesh Kumar c Jain b Narwal 10, Praveen Gupta c Bhatia b Sangwan 27, Sudip Tyagi not out 0; Extras (b-1, lb-13, nb-5, w-4) 23; Total (all out) 342

Fall of wickets: 8-297, 9-341

Bowling: Sangwan 27.1-7-80-4, Bhandari 21-3-79-0, Narwal 26-5-81-4, Bhatia 19-3-41-1, Nanda 16-2-39-1, Manhas 1-0-8-0.

Delhi (1st innings): A Chopra batting 85, G Gambhir c Raina b P Kumar 0, S Dhawan b P Kumar 14, M Manhas lbw P Kumar 0, A Jain c Raina b Tyagi 8, R Bhatia batting 81; Extras (lb 2, nb 4, wb 2) 8; Total (for 4 wkts) 196

... contd.