Disciplined batting gives Delhi lead

New Delhi, November 1: A disciplined showing by the batsmen helped Delhi to gain a 124-run first innings lead over Haryana on the second day of the North Zone Ranji Trophy league match at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground here on Monday.

At draw of stumps, Delhi were 290 for three in reply to Haryana's first innings total of 166 with skipper Ajay Sharma (60) and Virender Sehwag (47) at the crease.

Resuming at 17 for no loss, Devender Sharma and Ashu Dani began the proceedings on a strokefel note. Both openers kept scoring without any difficulty and accumulated 95 runs in the pre-lunch session. None of the bowlers were effective. Devender Sharma (56) completed his half century off 140 balls with seven boundaries before he was bowled by Feroz Ghayas in the post-lunch session. He added 112 runs with Ashu Dani.

Vijay Dahiya joined Dani and they continued in the same vein Dani also completed his half century. Though Dahiya (20) did not stay long, he and Dani put on 50 runs for the second wicket. Dahiya was caught by wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra off Vineet Jain at 162.

Skipper Ajay Sharma and Dani put up another half-century stand for the third wicket before Dani was stumped by Ratra off Sanjay Jakhar. He contributed 89 runs with the help of 11 fours staying at the wicket for 368 minutes, facing 226 balls. Ajay Sharma and Virender Sehwag added 76 runs for the unfinished fourth wicket partnership at close of play. For Haryana, Vineet Jain, Feroz Ghyas and Sanjay Jakhar took one wicket each giving away 54, 58 and 94 runs respectively.