I took it as a lesson, wanted to attack from ball one: Ayush Badoni after win over HP

It seems like the Delhi batsmen know just one way to respond to adversity – attack.

It was Himmat Singh, who ensured that Delhi stay alive in competition with a counter-attacking 194 against Uttarakhand in Mohali late last month, and just this week, it were the young and prodigious talent Ayush Badoni (111 off 114 balls) and Yash Dhull (82 off 81 balls) who turned around a first innings deficit against Himachal Pradesh in Dharamsala and helped Delhi register a face-saving win.

Delhi had conceded a 55-run lead in the first innings. They were bowled out for 264 with 60 from Himmat and 51 from Badoni being the only sizeable contributions. But for the tail that wagged, things would have been worse for the Delhiites. Pranshu Vijayran (37) and Siddhant Sharma (36) hung around to provide some respectability to the total.

Himachal Pradesh made 319 and it was largely the effort of left-arm pacer Siddhant Sharma (5/103), who is playing Ranji Trophy after four years, and Himanshu Chauhan (3/72) that saw the home team get restricted to just a 55-run lead.

A thought crops up every time Delhi play outside – why on earth is Ishant Sharma being persisted with when he has refused to serve Delhi in away games. Of course, he has some privileges having played over a 100 Tests. But such a big one. Anyway, we will discuss this matter at another time.

Delhi’s first-wicket stand wiped out the 55-run deficit and sneaked ahead with wicketkeeper-batsman Anuj Rawat blazing to 54 off 32 balls. Dhull made 82 as mentioned earlier and he stitched a 94-run partnership with Badoni for the third wicket.

Himmat (45) and Badoni then added 121 for the fourth wicket and Delhi were away. Jonty Sidhu scored 46 off 51 and Kshitiz Sharma also got some leather on the willow making an unbeaten 27.

“I wanted to play attacking cricket from ball one,” said Badoni, who was dropped in the games against Uttarakhand that Himmat and bowlers won.

“I took it (getting dropped) as a lesson. Backed my game. Wanted to prove myself.”  

The target for Himachal Pradesh was 327. It was always going to be tough and Delhi pace bowlers kept nibbling at the wickets. Rishi Dhawan made 65 but the rest of the batsmen from the hill state floundered. It was Chauhan who took a fifer this time – 5/63. Vijayran got 3/44 while Siddhant got 2/56.

Delhi won by 76 runs. They face Odisha next and though may struggle to qualify, a win will get them respect.  

Tags : Cricket, Delhi, DDCA, Ranji Trophy, Ayush Badoni, Himanshu Chauhan, Yash Dhull, Himmat Singh