Ignored after PoTM performance, Mathur returns with a century to save Delhi

Delhi, faced with the threat of losing first innings points to Assam, offered rearguard action through left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Sumit Mathur and pace bowler Siddhant Sharma who both added 166 for the eighth wicket to help Delhi take the lead and virtually guarantee three points.

The Delhi team aren’t yet satisfied with the guarantee three points. They are now going all out for seven points, having reduced Assam to 44/3 in the second innings. Assam, who made 330 in the first innings, are still 80 runs behind. Delhi scored 454 in the first innings, taking a 124-run lead.

Mathur scored 112 off 230 balls. Prior to this, he had played only one first-class game for Delhi, in February this year against Odisha where he picked nine wickets and won Man of the Match Award. For some reason, he was not picked for any further match for the state team.

Delhi began the season with left-arm spinner Harsh Tyagi, who had performed admirably in the Delhi Premier League. However, he could pick only three wickets in the first three matches. The last game on a flat Kotla surface against Tamil Nadu proved to be his undoing as he returned with figures of 1/181. Tyagi was replaced by Mathur for this match. 

“Our plan was to first cover the lead. We thought we have to first take the lead. That was the mindset. We played according to it,” said the 26-year-old Mathur after his knock.

Mathur and Harshit Rana, who picked five wickets in first innings, added 99 for the seventh wicket and rescued Delhi from a precarious 182/6. Mathur said he bided his time while Rana was going for shots.

“When Harshit was playing, he was taking his time and playing naturally. I was taking my time. He is a stroke-player. We knew that there was a day left. He didn’t let the pressure come on me,” added Mathur. 

“Then Siddhant came and he also played very well, and positively. I held on to one end.”

Siddhant Sharma scored 89 and missed his century to what he says were nerves.

“I was a bit nervous closing in on the century. Tea was approaching. I could have reached century but I just missed it,” said Sharma.

Sharma said that they will celebrate only after the team wins.

“It is not satisfying at all. I missed a century. We haven’t won the match. We need to win and get into a good position on the table. We have to perform match-by-match,” he said

Mathur had batted in a very calculated manner. He was very slow on the first 50 deliveries as the priority was to avoid conceding the lead.

“We have to go for outright win. Captain said we need to take seven points,” said Mathur, who has been coached by Shravan Kumar, the one who also coached Ishant Sharma.

He said he isn’t disappointed by being ignored.

“You keep working hard and then God gives you opportunity. This is my belief. I play with this belief.”

Tags : Ranji Trophy, Cricket, DDCA, Sumit Mathur, Delhi, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Harshit Rana