Ranji Trophy Day 3 Round-up: Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag produce vintage knocks
At stumps on Day 3 of the ongoing round of Ranji Trophy matches, Delhi are eyeing victory over Haryana despite Virender Sehwag’s classy knock of 51, Punjab are in a favourable position to take the first innings lead over Gujarat helped by Yuvraj Singh’s blistering 85*, and Mumbai are on the verge of an unlikely victory after Vishal Dabholkar’s fifer reduced Tamil Nadu to 73/7 in the second innings, and their lead to 213.
Virender Sehwag combined with Sachin Rana in Delhi to fight back against his former team, after having conceded a narrow deficit in the first innings. The loudest cheers from the Feroze Shah Kotla crowd was reserved for Sehwag though, who scored his 55th FC fifty. His walk back to the pavilion, after falling to a Gautam Gambhir catch, was also given a standing ovation.
Sehwag punched through cover, cut hard, drove through mid-on,,and offered solid defence during his knock, as the Sehwag-Sachin partnership looked to be turning the heat back on Delhi. However, after Sehwag’s departure the rest of the Haryana team collapsed, leaving the hosts a manageable target of 224. Unmukt Chand and Gambhir came out blazing all cylinders, finishing the day at 69/0, and Delhi are looking poised for all 6 points.
Cheering and whistles at Kotla for Virender Sehwag's 55th first-class fifty. He's batting for Haryana, but remains in Delhi's hearts.
— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) October 17, 2015
In Mohali, Punjab were facing the daunting prospect of chasing down Gujarat’s first innings score of 467, but ended Day 3 on 434/5, with the top scores being Manan Vohra’s 104 and Yuvraj Singh’s unbeaten 85, his 35th FC fifty. Yuvraj hit seven boundaries and two sixes during his innings, and will resume his batting on Day 4 with a century or more to beckon.
Punjab are guaranteed three points, while Gujarat have to be content with one.
Yuvraj Singh will soon be seeing n Indian Jersey!! Yaaayyy!! @YUVSTRONG12 c'mon make 150 or even 200!! #love12
— Ria (@yuvirya12) October 17, 2015
Mumbai’s confident comeback and Vijay’s unsure one
Mumbai have conceded a 140-run first innings lead to visitors Tamil Nadu, but have fought back in the second half of the day on the strength of spinner Vishal Dabholkar’s 5/41, who currently has match figures of 10/163. Having reduced Tamil Nadu to 73/7, and their lead to 213, Mumbai will be looking to clean up the Tamil Nadu tail early on Day 4 and push for a sensational victory.
Murali Vijay was the only TN batsman who reached double figures in the 2nd innings with a patient 29, as the India opener continues his efforts to come back into form before the South Africa series.
At the Eden Gardens, the rain-marred match between Bengal and Rajasthan looks to be dwindling down to a draw, with the hosts looking likely to be awarded the three points. Bengal bowlers, propelled by Pragyan Ojha’s 4/49 got the visitors all out for a mere 198.
In reply, they lost early wickets but ended the day after a confident partnership between Abhimanyu Easwaran (53*) and Manoj Tiwary (51*) left them only 52 runs short of taking the first innings lead.
Elsewhere, Karnataka look likely to get 3 points against Vidharba, Andhra Pradesh look likely to overhaul Baroda, and Railways have the upper hand over Uttar Pradesh.