Delhi lay ground for first-innings battle

Delhi 215 for 3 (Mohit 71, Unmukt 51) trail Baroda 561 (Rayudu 131, Chauhan 113, Panchal 80, Gagandeep 76, Awana 4-104) by 346 runs
Scorecard

Delhi laid the base for a strong reply to Baroda's 561, setting up a fight for the first-innings lead on the final day at Feroz Shah Kotla. Half-centuries by Mohit Sharma, who was playing his second first-class game, and Unmukt Chand led the hosts to 215 for 3 at stumps. They need 347 more to earn three points.

Having batted for 168 overs in two days, Baroda chose not to declare and played another 10 overs before being dismissed for 561. Resuming on 525 for 7, Ketan Panchal and Gagandeep Singh, who were batting on 72 and 70 respectively, added little to their overnight scores as seamer Parvinder Awana claimed their wickets quickly.

Opener Shikhar Dhawan started Delhi's innings aggressively, but Baroda captain Ambati Rayudu set a defensive field to counter it. When left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt bowled to Mohit, there was a long leg, a deep midwicket and long-on to stop the boundaries.

After fast bowler Murtuja Vahora dismissed Dhawan for 30, Mohit played patiently and added 87 with Unmukt. Unmukt played a lot of drives, but due to the presence of a sweeper cover, many of them were singles. The stand was broken when Bhatt got a delivery to pitch on middle-stump line and turn to clip the off bail. Unmukt seemed disappointed and reluctant to leave the crease.

Mohit added 78 runs with Mithun Manhas, playing smartly to take singles and doubles to negate the defensive field. Seamer Firdaush Bhaja trapped Mohit lbw 5.4 overs before stumps.

Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya wanted his batsmen to score more after getting set, because it will not be easy for the hosts to chase Baroda's score successfully on a slow pitch. With fading light not allowing the required number of overs to be bowled in the day, there is also a possibility of a draw without two completed innings.