Delhi concede points to Tamil Nadu, languish at bottom in Col CK Nayudu Trophy

New Delhi: Twin centuries from Yugal Saini were the only high point for Delhi cricket team in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy match against Tamil Nadu that was being played at the Palam Grounds in the Capital.

Delhi conceded a 133-run lead in first innings and that eventually proved to be decisive. It should be noted that Delhi lost the previous match, against Madhya Pradesh, by 156 runs. Prior to that, they conceded points to Andhra.

In the latest match, Yugal Saini scored 105 in the first innings as Delhi scored 252. In the second essay, he made 115 as Delhi ended with 283/7. However, Tamil Nadu’s first innings score of 385 saw them take lead and points.

“The pitch was slow and low. It was tough to bat on. We allowed them to make a lot more runs than we should have,” said Yugal Saini.

It was Saini’s century that helped Delhi avoid a big defeat after the bowlers had conceded runs too quickly to Tamil Nadu in second innings – TN scored 278/4 declared in 53 overs.

The Delhi batsmen have struggled to score big. Besides Saini, only Dev Lakra has managed a century – 152 against Andhra. Lakra also scored 86 against Madhya Pradesh. Lakra leads Delhi’s run-getters’ list with 306 runs and is among top 10 while Saini is 13th with 286 runs.

The bowling has been below par.

Delhi have struggled to dismiss opposition teams – just twice in five innings.

Left-arm spinner Manan Bhardwaj is the leading wicket-taker with nine wickets. Pace bowler Divij Mehra has eight and Saini, a batsman who bowls spin, has seven. All of them are outside top 50.

“Bowling has been a weak point for us.”

Delhi are at the bottom of Elite Group C after three games. They are winless, on 16 points and are in eighth and last position.

The Col CK Nayudu Trophy now goes for a break as teams switch to the one-day competition.

Tags : Yugal Saini, Col CK Nayudu Trophy, Dev Lakra, Delhi cricket team, New Delhi