Warhorses shine in dull draw
21 Nov 2012 7:59 AM IST
Despite senior batsman Mithun Manhas and all-rounder Rajat Bhatia scoring centuries, Delhi were unable to surpass Baroda’s first innings total of 561 as the third round Ranji Trophy match ended in a barren draw with both teams getting a point each.
Delhi ended the final day’s play at 505 for six at the end of mandatory overs with Bhatia remaining unbeaten on 133. Manhas scored 106, which was also his second century of the competition after his 161 against Odisha in the last match. Since two innings weren’t complete, both teams got a point each as per the new BCCI rules. Delhi now have 8 points, while Baroda are on seven after the third round.
The home team needed 347 runs on the final day in 90 overs, which was difficult on a dead Feroz Shah Kotla track with the ball keeping extremely low. Manhas and Bhatia tried their best but with Baroda employing negative tactics, it was very difficult to get to the target. Yet, Manhas showed his class en route his 22nd first-class century as he hit 15 fours in 241 balls. He completed his century with a cover drive off Bhargav Bhatt.
The Manhas-Bhatia partnership produced 133 runs off 321 balls, which was quite admirable considering that Ambati Rayudu employed at least five fielders to save the boundaries.
It became very difficult for the two veterans to find the boundaries. By lunch, it became pretty evident that Delhi were not going for the chase.
For Bhatia, there couldn’t have been a better start to the season having missed the first two matches due to injury. After chipping in with three wickets, the senior all-rounder batted with lot of responsibility. He hit 13 fours and a six, which brought up his 12th century in first-class cricket. Left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt, who dismissed Unmukt Chand, Manhas and Puneet Bisht, was the pick of the Baroda bowlers.
Delhi ended the final day’s play at 505 for six at the end of mandatory overs with Bhatia remaining unbeaten on 133. Manhas scored 106, which was also his second century of the competition after his 161 against Odisha in the last match. Since two innings weren’t complete, both teams got a point each as per the new BCCI rules. Delhi now have 8 points, while Baroda are on seven after the third round.
The home team needed 347 runs on the final day in 90 overs, which was difficult on a dead Feroz Shah Kotla track with the ball keeping extremely low. Manhas and Bhatia tried their best but with Baroda employing negative tactics, it was very difficult to get to the target. Yet, Manhas showed his class en route his 22nd first-class century as he hit 15 fours in 241 balls. He completed his century with a cover drive off Bhargav Bhatt.
The Manhas-Bhatia partnership produced 133 runs off 321 balls, which was quite admirable considering that Ambati Rayudu employed at least five fielders to save the boundaries.
It became very difficult for the two veterans to find the boundaries. By lunch, it became pretty evident that Delhi were not going for the chase.
For Bhatia, there couldn’t have been a better start to the season having missed the first two matches due to injury. After chipping in with three wickets, the senior all-rounder batted with lot of responsibility. He hit 13 fours and a six, which brought up his 12th century in first-class cricket. Left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt, who dismissed Unmukt Chand, Manhas and Puneet Bisht, was the pick of the Baroda bowlers.
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