Delhi gain big lead over Services

New Delhi: An unbeaten 85 by Mithun Manhas and half centuries from Ashu Dani(76) and Virender Sehwag (70) gave Delhi a commanding 218-run first innings lead over Services on the second day of the North Zone Ranji Trophy match here on Monday. At draw of stumps, Delhi were 359 for seven with Manhas and Rahul Sanghvi (2) at the crease.

Delhi's lead was built around a 113-run fifth wicket stand between Manhas and Sehwag, whose knock came off just 73 delivaries and included seven hits to the fence and a huge six over extra over. The partnership was broken when Sehwag was caught at extra over by Sanjay Verma while trying to drive Pankaj Maitery. Minhas, who anchored the Delhi innings, fell after 240 minutes at the crease. His knock included six boundaries.

Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 61 for one, Ashu Dani and Akash Malhotra (42) put together 110 runs for the second wicket before medium pacer M V Rao, who was bowling off-spin for a change, bowled Malhotra. Skipper Ajay sharma played a breezy innings of 31 before edging Rao to G S Thapa. Dani fell leg before to Syed Javed when the score was 191. Rao and Syded Javed captured two wickets each giving away 83 and 126 runs respectively.