Jammu and Kashmir register shock win over Delhi in Vijay Hazare opener

Parvez Rasool 

In what turned out to be a major upset, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) secured a shock two-wicket win over Delhi in the opening match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Bilaspur.

Batting first on a slow pitch, Delhi managed to reach a mediocre 212 for 8 in their 50 overs with captain Gautam Gambhir taking 75 balls to score his 36. Virender Sehwag, who was making a comeback to the opening position, scored 11 runs off 37 deliveries at an appalling strike-rate of 29.73. None of the other batsmen got going as J&K bowlers kept the runs under check. 

Rajat Bhatia gave the Delhi innings the much-needed impetus,scoring a half-century off 52 balls to help his side cross 200.

In reply, J&K were in early trouble losing three top-order wickets for 31 runs. Captain Parvez Rasool then scored a quick fire 74, filled with 12 boundaries and got able support from Hardeep Singh (21), Bandeep Singh (25) and Waseem Raza (27).

In the end, Samiullah Beigh, who had earlier picked up both the Delhi openers, ensured that his side won the game with 4 balls to spare.

Late swing helped me – Beigh 

Explaining his strategy behind the dismissals of both Sehwag and Gambhir, Beigh said that the early morning swing helped in getting rid of both batsmen.

"Against Viru bhai I bowled from wide of the crease an inswinger and he edged to the keeper”. he said.

“Bowling from round the stumps I swung the ball late to bowl Gauti bhai. I again went wide of the crease to Unmukt and he edged behind the stumps." he added.

This is only the third instance that Jammu and Kashmir have beaten Delhi in a List A match.

 Brief Scores:

Delhi 212/8 in 50 overs (Virender Sehwag 11, Gautam Gambhir 36, Milind Kumar 61, Rajat Bhatia 50, Samiuallah Beigh 3/35, Ram Dayal 2/47)

Jammu and Kashmir 216/8 in 49.2 overs (Parveez Rasool 74, Ashish Nehra 2/48). J&K won by 2 wickets.