Bhatia scalps five to bundle out Maharashtra

Dec 10:  Delhi’s medium-pacer Rajat Bhatia and leg-spinner Chetanya Nanda shared eight wickets together to restrict Maharashtra at 219

Hosts Maharashtra decision of batting first backfired as Delhi’s medium-pacer Rajat Bhatia’s came up with a fine effort of five for 29 to bundle them out on a paltry total of 219 on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A Super League match at the Reliance Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.

It is indeed an irony for both the sides as Maharashtra decided to bat first on a wet wicket that had heavy dew on the outfield and moisture in the pitch. The match had a one hour delayed start, while Delhi frontline bowlers could not be able to exploit the conditions favouring to them from all corners.

Maharashtra suffered an early setback when H. Khadiwale was caught behind off Parminder Awana’s rising delivery at the score of 8 but later former India player Hrishikesh Kanitkar provided some resistance by adding 46 runs for the second wicket.

After getting not much support for the mainstream bowlers Delhi skipper tossed the ball to tried and trusted Bhatia, who exploited the extra bounce from the pavilion end. He first sent back top-order and then picked up two to end up with a career-best effort. His previous best was four for 16 against Saurashtra this season in Delhi.

The visitors lost left-hander Shikhar Dhawan before the umpires offered the light to Aakash Chopra and night watchman Chetanya Nanda at the team’s score of 23.

SCORECARD

Maharashtra — 1st innings: Total (in 77.4 overs): 219

V. More c Chopra b Bhatia 35, H. Khadiwale c Bisht b Awana 0, H. Kanitkar c Dhawan b Bhatia 67, Venugopala Rao c Bisht b Bhatia 5, Y. Takawale c Bisht b Bhatia 8, V. Bhilare c Chopra b Nanda 31, K. Jadhav b Nanda 33, S. Bahutule c Manhas b Bhatia 0, A. Agharkar c Chopra b Nanda 17, S. Fallah (not out) 6, W. Sayyeed b Narinder 0

Extras (b-3, lb-1, nb-4, w-9): 17

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-54, 3-63, 4-74, 5-144, 6-167, 7-170, 8-198, 9-218, 10-219

Bowling: Sangwan 15-2-44-0, Awana 9-2-40-1, Nanda 22-9-40-3, Bhatia 16-6-29-5, Sehwag 6-0-29-0, Narinder 9.4-0-33-1.

Delhi — 1st innings: Total (for one wkt. in 6.2 overs): 23.

A. Chopra (batting) 12, S. Dhawan c Takawale b Sayyeed 7, C. Nanda (batting) 0

Extras (b-1, lb-1, w-2): 4

Fall of wicket: 1-23.

Bowling: Sayyeed 3.2-0-8-1, Fallah 3-0-13-0.