Delhi quickly in command

New Delhi: Delhi were in a position of considerable strength at stumps on the first day of their North Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Jammu & Kashmir at the Ferozshah Kotla grounds here yesterday. After dismissing J & K for 113 runs in 29 overs, Delhi were 165 for three at close of play.

Put in to bat, J & K, who only the day before had shocked the home team in the one day game, lost their first four wickets for 14 runs. All the wickets were taken by Aashish Nehra. The collapse continued and only R Kaul with a fighting 45 showed some defiance before he was last out. He and P Bali (24) added 41 runs for the eighth wicket after seven wickets had gone down for 64 runs. Nehra finished with five for 52 off eleven overs.

When Delhi batted, Devinder Sharma was in fine form and by stumps had scored 68 not out. He faced 155 balls and hit eight fours.