Rana’s century, Pant’s 99 take Delhi to 260/ 4
New Delhi, Nov. 17: Rishabh Pant showed his natural flair for strokeplay with an attractive 99 in company of a reliable Nitish Rana ( 110 batting) as Delhi were comfortably placed 260/ 4 against Maharashtra on truncated first day of the fifth round encounter of Ranji Trophy.
Only 62 overs of was possible after deteriorated in the session.
Pant, who has not had any significant contribution during the current season did not get bogged down by the fall of wickets as his 99 off 110 balls had eight boundaries and six huge sixes.
Pant was finally snapped at slips by rival captain Ankit Bawne off Chirag Khurana but not before he has entertained one and all at the Airforce ground with his exhilarating strokeplay.
He was especially severe on off- break bowler Khurana, whom he hit for four sixes — all down the ground. Pant has had ssues against spin but cleared the cobwebs in his mind as he used his feet to good effect.
Pacers Nikit Dhumal and Praveen Dadhe tried to feed him with short balls but he kept his balance while hitting those pull- shots.
“I was never under any kind of pressure contrary to what people believe. There are times when you don’t get runs. It wasn’t as if I was trying to score quickly. I played 110 balls and all were not hit for boundaries and sixes. It means I defended well. Also, I share a comfort level with Rana which reflects whenever, we bat together,” Pant said. At Vadodara: Baroda 281/ 3 in 90 overs ( Kedar Devdhar 104, Deepak Hooda 51, Vishnu Solanki 46*) vs Odisha.