Delhi and Punjab settle for a draw

The North Zone Vijay Merchant (Under-16) tournament encounter at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground involving Delhi and Punjab meandered to a draw on Monday. Delhi notched up five points since they secured the first innings lead and Punjab took home three.

Opting to bat on the opening day, Punjab piled up 281. The score being helped along the way by a handsome batting display by their batsmen. Taking away no credit from the others, including the opener K Goel (50 off 151 balls, 7 fours), Vipul Sharma was the top scorer with a 54 (121 minutes, 109 balls, 6 fours). K Rawat was the most successfull bowler for Delhi with figures of 5 for 57.

In reply, Delhi took a 116 run lead, K Rawat giving the needed prop for the innings with a sedate 99. With the Delhi scorecard reading 265 for 8, Kuldeep Rawat and Abhinav Bali (66) came togather for a 132 run ninth wicket partnership. Kuldeep was the last batsman to be dismissed. Kuldeep during his 290 minute stay at the crease faced 271 balls and hit 12 fours. Punjab in the 14 overs that the received on the final day scored 54 runs while losing opener Rahul Arora (31).