Gambhir, Chandela make Bengal pay
PUNE: Gautam Gambhir was patience personified while unheralded Kunal Chandela showed maturity as their twin tons took Delhi to a commanding 271 for three against Bengal on the second day of the Ranji Trophy semi-final, here on Monday.
With Bengal scoring a below par 286 in their first essay, they are sure to concede first innings lead.
The only positive aspect for Bengal was final session where Delhi scored only 51 runs losing three wickets including Gambhir (127 off 216 balls) off Mohammed Shami. Gambhir, dropped on 44 off Ashok Dinda, was an epitome of calmness during his 42nd firstclass century with Chandela (113 off 192 balls), who is playing his third first-class match.
Gambhir and Chandela humiliated a Bengal attack comprising Shami (23.2-3-83-1) and Dinda (18-2-86-1), both looking pedestrian.
The best part about Gambhir this season has been his attitude. He has remain attached with a goal of guiding Delhi with crucial runs. A pull in front of the square followed by a square cut played on the rise off Shami set the tone.
When Dinda intentionally threw a ball towards Gambhir on follow through -- all in very bad taste, he simply swayed away from the line and didn’t react.
He hit two back to back boundaries off Amir Gani to reach his hundred. Identical cover drives -one that raced through the ground and another lofted to reach the milestone in 122 balls.
When he raised his bat, the Delhi players sprinted down the stairs from dressing room to give him a standing ovation.
NAIR HITS CENTURY
KOLKATA: Vice-captain Karun Nair struck an unbeaten century to put former champions Karnataka in a strong position on the second day of their Ranji Trophy semi-final against Vidarbha at the Eden Gardens. Nair’s unbeaten 148 ensured a healthy 109-run first innings lead for Karnataka over Vidarbha. Brief Scores In Pune: Bengal 286. Delhi 271/3 in 77.2 overs (G Gambhir 127, K Chandela 113). In Kolkata: Vidarbha 185. Karnataka 294/8 in 93 overs (K Nair 148*, C Gautam 73; R Gurbani 5/90).
THE ONLY POSITIVE ASPECT FOR BENGAL WAS FINAL SESSION WHERE DELHI SCORED ONLY 51 RUNS LOSING THREE WICKETS