All eyes on Ishant, Gambhir as Delhi restrict Odisha
Sharma claims one wicket in disciplined bowling effort
MOHALI: The domestic season has been overshadowed by the upcoming five-match Test series against England, so as Delhi took on Odisha in an empty PCA Stadium, all eyes were on Ishant Sharma and skipper Gautam Gambhir.
The lanky pacer seems to have recovered from chikungunya and should be ready by the time England land in India. Gambhir will also be eyeing a berth after he saw action in the Test series against New Zealand.
By the end of Thursday, Delhi were in command. After bundling out Odisha for 237, openers Unmukt Chand and Gambhir had added 43.
Ishant made a comeback to competitive cricket in the Delhi-karnataka match at Eden Gardens, where he bowled 21 overs for one wicket. Surely, the selectors will be watching his progress as India prepare for the first Test against England at Rajkot from November 9.
Earlier, Delhi elected to field on a wicket which provided ample help to the pacers. While Ishant bowled a decent spell, giving away nothing, it was Sumit Narwal who struck twice to account for Odisha openers Sandeep Pattanaik (7) and Ranjit Singh (4).
POOR START
Skipper Govind Poddar was caught by Rishab Pant off Vikas Tokas for 24, while Anurag Sarangi made 18. Odisha looked in dire straits but the experienced Biplab Samantaray (69) and Subhransu Senapati led the fightback, adding 141 runs for the fifth wicket to help Odisha reach 200.
It was here that Ishant’s experience came to the fore as he had Senapati caught and bowled for 76, a knock that contained 10 boundaries, to break a partnership that threatened Delhi.
Thereafter, Odisha fell to the guile of the left-arm spin duo of Varun Sood (3 for 23) and Manan Sharma (2 for 52), losing five wickets in space of 33 runs.
BRIEF SCORES
Odisha (1st innings) 237 all out in 77.4 overs (Biplab Samantray 69, Subhranshu Senapati 76, Varun Sood 3/23, S Narwal 2/34, I Sharma 1/29); Delhi (1st innings) 43/0 in 10 overs (Gautam Gambhir 26 no, Unmukt Chand 13 no).