Report

Trivedi engineers Delhi's collapse

A summary of the first day in the latest round of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group

Cricinfo staff
17-Dec-2005
Gujarat 116 for 8 (Bhandari 5-43) lead Delhi 69 (Trivedi 5-16, Makda 4-30) by 47 runs
Scorecard
It was a bowler's day out at Feroz Shah Kotla as 19 wickets tumbled on the first day of the Elite Group match between Delhi and Gujarat. Siddharth Trivedi and Asraf Makda, the medium pacers, justified Gujarat's decision to field first, as they grabbed nine wickets between them in 25 overs to shot out Delhi for a paltry 69. Rajat Bhatia (38) was the lone batsman to face over 50 deliveries and offer some resistance.
The pattern followed when Gujarat batted, with Amit Bhandari and Kunal Lal - Delhi's opening bowlers - picking seven wickets between them to leave Gujarat tottering at 74 for 9. However, Makda (30 not out) turned in a inspired allround performance to steer Gujarat to 116 for 9 at close, gaining a crucial first-innings lead. Delhi, with just two points after three games, will be looking for a better performance from their batsmen to turn things around in this crucial tie.
Mumbai232 for 4(Muzumdar 109*, Kukreja 72) v Railways
Scorecard
Amol Muzumdar's fine unbeaten 109, involving a 146-run partnership with Sahil Kukreja, lifted Mumbai from a shaky 15 for 2 to 232 for 4 at close of play on the opening day against Railways at the Wankhade Stadium in Mumbai. The duo pulled things back for Mumbai after Jai Prakash Yadav had struck twice in succession. Murali Kartik, in a welcome break from the convention, was released from the national squad to play for Railways, but he went 21 overs without any reward.
Bengal 208 for 3 (Gavaskar 77*, Arindam Das 56) v Karnataka
Scorecard
Half-centuries from Rohan Gavaskar and Arindam Das, the opener, lifted Bengal to 208 for 3 by the end of the opening day against Karnataka at Mysore. Gavaskar, instrumental in Bengal sitting pretty with seven points in three games, continued his fine run, carving out a patient 77 of 173 balls to steer Bengal to a comfortable position. Karnataka, with only four points in three outings, managed only three wickets all day and were staring at another long day on the field tomorrow.
Tamil Nadu 254 for 7 ( Sharath 58*) v Maharashtra
Scorecard
Anupam Sanclecha and Suyash Burkul grabbed three wickets apiece to restrict Tamil Nadu to 254 for 7 at stumps on the first day at Nasik. Maharashtra, lying at the bottom of the table, didn't allow the TN batsmen to cash in on their starts and post a big score. That 55 was the highest partnership reflects the regular breakthroughs that they managed to keep a check on TN's progress. TN's hopes of a big first-innings score rested on Sreedharan Sharath, who was unbeaten on 58.
Uttar Pradesh 242 for 5 (Raina 127) v Punjab
Scorecard
Suresh Raina, the attacking left-hand batsman, smashed 127 off 223 balls to take Uttar Pradesh to a comfortable 242 for 5 by the end of the opening day's play against Punjab at Lucknow. Raina, who played in the national team in the one-dayers against Sri Lanka, hit 18 fours to lift UP, with only two points from three games, from 15 for 1 to 211 before becoming the fourth wicket to fall. Raina fell to Rajesh Sharma, the right-arm offspinner, who, with two wickets, was the most successful bowlers for Punjab.
Hyderabad 250 for 5 (Anirudh Singh 86) v Haryana
Scorecard
Anirudh Singh's 86 aided by 40s from Vinay Kumar and Arjun Yadav left Hyderabad, who chose to bat first, well placed at 250 for 5 at stumps on the opening day against Haryana at Hyderabad. Hyderabad, with two points in two games, would have been in better position if not for a triple strike by Joginder Sharma who kept Harayana, in the third position in the table, in the contest.
Services 203 for 4(Jasvir 82*) v Andhra
Scorecard
Powered by an unbeaten 82 from Jasvir Singh Services reached 203 for 4 by the end of the opening day against Andhra. Venugopal Rao, the Andhra captain, used eight bowlers in all but the Services batsmen slowly grinded their way to reach a position of comfort in a match between two teams wallowing in the bottom of the table.