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Ranji Trophy 2017-18, quarter-finals: Madhya Pradesh trail Delhi by 20 runs at stumps on Day 3

Thanks to Mihir Hirwani's leg-breaks that Madhya Pradesh avoided further damage.

Gautam Gambhir © AFP
Gautam Gambhir © AFP

Riding on a collective batting performance, Delhi took a 67-run lead against Madhya Pradesh in the quarter-finals of Ranji Trophy 2017-18. Thanks to Mihir Hirwani’s leg-breaks that Madhya Pradesh avoided further damage. He finished with 5 for 89.

Playing at Vijayawada, this Ranji Trophy encounter has thus produced quality cricket. After dismantling Madhya Pradesh on the second day, the Delhi batters put up a good fight against a disciplined bowling attack. After losing Gautam Gambhir for a mere 6, Kunal Chandela (81) and Dhruv Shorey (78) added 145 for the second wicket. Nitish Rana and Rishabh Pant continued the good work, but both perished in the 40s.

However, Himmat Singh rose to the challenge and led the second version of resurgence. His 71 off 138 tired the Madhya Pradesh bowlers, forcing them to bowl faltered line and lengths. Manan Sharma (28), Vikas Tokas (13), and Navdeep Saini (14) provided late blitz, taking Delhi to 405.

Madhya Pradesh lost their openers for 46. At the crease is Shubham Sharma (25*) and Puneet Datey (0*).

If the game ends in a draw, Delhi will qualify for the next round given they took a first-innings lead.

Brief scores:

Madhya Pradesh 338 (Harpreet Singh 107*; Manan Sharma 4 for 46) and 47 for 2 (Shubham Sharma 25; Vikas Tokas 1 for 19) trail Delhi 405 (Kunal Chandela 81, Dhruv Shorey 78; Mihir Hirwani 5 for 89) by 20 runs.

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