Ranji Trophy: Umesh Yadav Struggles With Ball for Vidarbha, Gautam Gambhir's Delhi Held to a Draw

Vidarbha got three points for taking the first innings lead against Odisha in a Group A match that ended in a draw in the Ranji Trophy in Nagpur. (Latest Cricket News)

      

Following on, Odisha reached 230 for six on day four of the match with opposition bowler Akshay Wakhare taking five wickets. The visitors folded up for 274 in their first innings in response to Vidarbha's 467.

      

Odisha, resuming the day at 15 for no loss, went on the bat for 105 overs before play was called off. Anurag Sarangi top scored for the away team with 92 while Pratik Das remained unbeaten on 39.

      

The match will be remembered for Umesh Yadav scoring his maiden First Class century. The India pacer however failed to pick a wicket in either innings.

       

Brief scores: Vidarbha 467 all out. Odisha 274 all out and 230/6 in 105 overs (Anurag Sarangi 92; Akshay Wakhare 5/77).

Gautam Gambhir pressed hard for victory but Delhi failed to get victory against Rajasthan

© AP

Delhi vs Rajasthan: Saxena Brothers Help Rajasthan Thwart Delhi

Veteran opener Vineet Saxena and middle-order batsman Puneet Yadav added 150-runs for the unbroken fourth wicket stand as Rajasthan managed three points against Delhi by virtue of their 102-run first innings lead.

     

Rajasthan never went for the chase of 336 and instead wanted to focus on getting the three points that were ensured as they scored 186 for three after being down to 36 for three within the first hour.

     

Saxena, known for stonewalling in domestic cricket, brought on all his experience of saving domestic games scoring an unbeaten 80 in six hours having faced 274 balls. There were eight boundaries though.

     

His younger partner Puneet scored comparatively quickly as his 75 with eight fours and a six came off 175 balls.

     

Expecting the pitch to offer appreciable turn and bounce, Delhi skipper Gautam Gambhir introduced Manan early into attack. Although he gave away only 58 runs in 34 overs, there was nothing in his bowling that would have troubled the batsmen.

     

Pacer Parvinder Awana, who has been Delhi's best bet for taking wickets on placid pitches was given only 11 overs in the innings. Pawan Suyal (2/23) bowled well in his 18 overs but the rest of the attack didn't have the required sting to trouble the batsmen.

     

Brief Scores: Delhi 138 & 437/9 decl, Rajasthan 240 & (target 336) 186/3 (Vineet Saxena 80 not out, Puneet Yadav 75 no). Match Drawn.

Points: Delhi 3; Rajasthan 1.