Delhi post 200 again, romp to 111-run victory over Andhra

                                
Delhi overcame early shocks of losing Unmukt Chand (background) and Gautam Gambhir, piling up 236 in the allotted 20 overs as the stroke-makers down the order put the Andhra attack to the sword on a batsman-friendly wicket at Alembic ground, in Baroda.  – Shiv Kumar Pushpakar  
Delhi overcame early shocks of losing Unmukt Chand and Gautam Gambhir, piling up 236 in the allotted 20 overs as the stroke-makers down the order put the Andhra attack to the sword on a batsman-friendly wicket at Alembic ground, in Baroda.

Frontline bowlers Ashish Nehra and Pradeep Sangwan took a break after five testing overs, allowing Delhi to try out other bowling options. The steep asking rate took its toll as the challengers folded up for 125 to hand Delhi a comfortable 111 runs victory.

In the other Group C match in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament on a livelier track, at Motibaug ground, resulted in hard-earned nine-run victory for home team Baroda against Railways.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh weren’t troubled by Goa, winning by seven wickets in the morning tie. After Day Two, Delhi, Baroda and MP have two wins each. Gambhir’s squad have a menacing look about them, putting up 200-plus totals on both days and will carry confidence in game three.

Andhra chose to field after winning the toss, allowing Delhi to take strike on a slow wicket that gave batsmen the liberty to hit through the line. Milind Kumar stole 19 runs off an over to open the floodgates. He banked on wrist work and timing to clear the ropes with ease (six fours and three sixes) on his way to a stylish 58. Nitish Rana’s judgement of length and footwork came to the fore in a power-packed 97 off 40 balls, slamming eight sixes and boundaries each.

Andhra were in the game till the first six overs shared by Ayyappan B and Vincent Stephen. Unmukt’s third ball dismissal was celebrated, so was Gambhir’s wicket later, before the Delhi middle-order took charge. Rana’s audacious batting stood out for the second day in a row.

Baroda’s T20 specialists Hardik Pandya, Yusuf Pathan, Deepak Hooda teamed up to secure a win over Railways. Madhya Pradesh, buoyed by opening day victory over Andhra, brushed aside Goa.