Delhi take three points in Gambhir’s last game
RANJI SCORES, DAY4
NEWDELHI: The almost dead Ranji Trophy Elite Group B game at the Ferozeshah Kotla sprung into life in the latter half of the fourth and final day as Delhi ran through Andhra’s batting line-up to give themselves a realistic chance of winning and sending Gautam Gambhir into retirement on a high.
Having taken a 43-run lead, debutant Shivank Vashisth’s five-wicket haul helped Delhi skittle out the visitors for 130 on the last day leaving the hosts with 88 to get off 13 overs. They were set for it, at 41 for two in five overs, before umpires called off the match due to bad light.
“I would have liked full points, that’s why you play the game of cricket. Individual milestones don’t matter and ultimate idea is to get six or seven points. It didn’t happen but the guys tried their best,” said Gambhir in what was his last press conference as a player. The opener was asked if he was happy with a century in the last match of his career.
Barring the excitement in the last couple of hours when it looked set for a result, this game was all about Gambhir’s retirement.
While he has ruled out career in commentary, at least as of now, saying that he wants to be close to action, Gambhir could move into Delhi cricket administration even though he admitted, albeit jokingly, that he is too straightforward to fit in there.
“See. I am a government nominee (in Delhi cricket body) and I will try and contribute now that there is no conflict of interest. I was criticised that I shouldn’t have become a government nominee (while still playing). I will try to be absolutely honest and help the boys. I’ll put that word across to the executive commit- tee and try and get the job done by BCCI. Besides, I’ll try to get get the best out of the boys,” he said. “I don’t know if I’d be as good a coach as I was a player but one thing that has excited me is to be part of action, so if that comes around and I have the energy and passion, then I’ll definitely get into it.”
As a sign-off, the left-hander gifted everything in his kitbag to his teammates. “My kitbag is empty. Gave it all to everybody in the team after the century as I knew I wouldn’t bat again.”
TAMIL NADU WIN
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu registered their first win of the season, beating Kerala by 151 runs on Sunday in an Elite Group ‘B’ match at the M A Chidambaram stadium here. The victory and six points
renewed Tamil Nadu’s hopes after the team had logged five points from four matches prior to the Kerala game.
They are now at fifth place in the standings with 11 points. Kerala are second in the group on 13 points behind Madhya Pradesh (18).
Needing 369 to win their third match, Kerala were bowled out for 217.
MAHARASHTRA DRAW
PUNE: Hosts Maharashtra took three points on the basis of their first innings lead after their Elite Group A game against Mumbai ended in a draw on Sunday. Maharashtra, who had taken a first innings lead of 79, were bundled out for 254 in their second essay with skipper Rahul Tripathi top scoring with 76 at Gahunje.