Dhawan's 199 ensures Delhi's entry into final

Opener Shikar Dhawan (199) made sure of Delhi's entrance to the final of the Vijay Merchant Trophy (Under-16) tournament after ensuring a 294-run first innings lead over Hyderabad on the third and final day of their semi-final match at the Calcutta Cricket and Football Ground on Thursday.

Resuming at 277 for 5, Sumit Kapoor (19) was just a bystander to Dhawan in the partnership that was worth 68 runs for the sixth wicket. He was the first to be dismissed on the final day, trapped leg before by Amol Shinde. Dhawan however carried on with the scoring before being dismissed one short of his double hundred, caught by Amol Shinde off Nalin Reddy. During his 10 hour and six minute stay in the middle, Dhawan faced 484 balls and punished the bowlers for 35 boundaries.

Thereafter, the ninth wicket pair of Abhishek Sharma (30) and Himanshu Khullar (34) frustrated the attack to take the Delhi total past the 400-run mark. The Delhi innings finally folded up at 433. Hyderabad in their second innings finished at 106 for 1 in 30.1 overs when stumps were finally drawn. Openers Prasanth Peter (52) and Imran Khan (40) put on 85 runs in 24.5 overs before Imran was caught by Abhishek Naag off A Sharma. Ambati Tirupati Rayudu (12) and Peter were unbeaten at the end.