Ranji Trophy: Ishant Sharma gets five, Delhi on top against Haryana

Ishant Sharma showed some signs of returning to form with a five-wicket haul as Delhi gained the upperhand against Haryana at stumps on the second day of the Ranji Trophy group A encounter here on Friday.

Ishant bowled with a lot of fire as he grabbed five for 29 in 17 overs as Haryana were bowled out for 138 in reply to Delhi's first innings score of 201.

Delhi scored 35 in the second innings as their lead swelled to 98 with Gautam Gambhir batting on 27.

Gambhir, however, looked scratchy but did hit a few boundaries in between.

Ishant dominated the proceedings during the Haryana innings as he hit the deck regularly causing problems for Haryana batsmen.

Rajat Bhatia, bowling his cutters, complemented him well with a four for 32 in 16 overs. Wicketkeeper Punit Bisht had a busy time behind the stumps having taken five catches.

Ishant bowled a good first spell, getting the outside edge of opener Nitin Saini (6) and one down batsman Sunny Singh. Then Bhatia joined picture removing left handed opener Abhimanyu Khod (15).

Abhi Barot (34) and Rahul Dalal (13) added 33 runs before Bhatia removed Dalal as he was adjudged leg before. Barot was out when Gambhir took a sharp catch at point while Jayant Yadav (0) was removed by Parvinder Awana.

At 82 for six, Joginder Sharma and Sachin Rana added 46 runs for the seventh wicket.

Joginder hit 35 off 38 balls with five boundaries before he edged an away going delivery to give Bhatia his fourth wicket.

Ishant then polished off the tail removing Rana and then last man Badhwar to ensure at least three points for Delhi.

Brief Scores: Delhi 201 in 87.5 overs (Rajat Bhatia 39,, Sanjay Badhwar 4/56). Haryana 138 in 55 overs (Joginder Sharma 35, Ishant Sharma 5/29, Rajat Bhatia 4/32).