Ranji Trophy: Himmat, Chauhan power Delhi to close win over Uttarakhand

Delhi captain Himmat Singh played a captain’s knock, turning the game against Uttarakhand on its head and helping Delhi stay in contention for the knockout stage. His 194 in Delhi’s fourth Ranji Trophy match helped script a narrow eight-run victory in Mohali on the fourth day.

Delhi were bowled out for 147 with Yash Dhull top-scoring with 47 in the first innings, and Uttarakhand responded with 239, taking a crucial 92-run lead.

Delhi then faced the prospect of innings defeat as they were reduced to three wickets for no run as pace bowler Deepak Dhapola took a hat-trick. Himmat walked in at the fall of the third wicket and saw his team lose two more wickets as Delhi were reduced to 11/5.

“We are 0/3. I had already planned that if I play sticking around, it will take just one ball from them and we will crash. So I thought it is better to play with an open mind, free-flowing strokes and stave off pressure. Lakshay Thareja batted very well,” said Himmat, the right-handed batsman, who hit 27 fours and a six in his 217-ball knock.

Thareja hit 43 off 125 balls with three fours and added 182 with Himmat for the sixth wicket.

Himmat then shared a 22-run partnership with Hrithik Shokeen and 30-run partnership with Himanshu Chauhan for the ninth wicket as Delhi ended with 264/9 in 72.3 overs. Saini, who was injured while bowling in the first innings, couldn’t come into bat.

“Saini was unlucky to get injured. Got injured after first 40 overs,” added Himmat.

Despite missing Saini and turning out with just four bowlers with Hrithik Shokeen as the lone spinner, Delhi dismissed Uttarakhand for just 165 in 79.3 overs. It was a close escape for Delhi, who now have seven points from four matches and are in seventh position out of eight teams in Group D.

Delhi lost the first match to Puducherry by nine wickets in Delhi, then drew the second match with J&K in Jammu (only 42 overs were possible due to inclement weather) and lost the third game against Madhya Pradesh in Indore by 86 runs.

Chauhan took 5/39 and Shokeen 3/81.

“The bowlers made a lot of effort, especially Himanshu Chauhan. Prince Yadav also played a key role. Shokeen was the lone spinner and he bowled very tightly. Runs weren’t a lot. The team played with a lot of excitement. They wanted to win,” said Himmat.

“When we stepped onto the field to defend 172, the attitude, we also talked about it in the huddle, was that we will not let them have it easy. Whatever way I could motivate my team, I tried to do it that way. Even when a partnership was going on towards the end, I kept telling them to keep believing. I told them that it is just about one ball and that one ball can come at any time.”

Tags : Cricket, Delhi, DDCA, Ranji Trophy, Himmat Singh, Himanshu Chauhan