Yugal Saini, Ankit Kumar, Rounak Waghela power Delhi U23s to win

Delhi defeated Chhattisgarh by 104 runs in Bhilai to earn 12 points and have a shot at the knockout stages of the national under-23 multi-day cricket for the Col CK Nayudu Trophy. They are currently placed second in Elite Group B with 68 points, three points behind Uttar Pradesh.

Batting first in the match played from January 25-28, Delhi were in a bother after being reduced to 61/4. But Yugal Saini (119 runs, 248 balls, 8x4s, 1x6) batted with authority to help the team recover. He added 83 for the fifth wicket with Tejasvi Dahiya (36 off 65), 50 with Rounak Waghela (32 off 51) for the sixth wicket and then added 64 for the seventh wicket with Manan Bhardwaj (28 off 118) to take Delhi to a competitive 273.

“Yugal Saini was given an opportunity. It was a green wicket, spongy with moisture. He applied very well. He is a compact batsman. When he stays, he stays and will make a century. He is a steady player. There were great contributions from others like Waghela and Manan who put in all-round effort,” said coach Delhi coach Shanker Saini.  

“The pitch was difficult to bat on as the ball was moving. We had lost four early wickets. Then I stitched some partnerships. The idea was to bat long,” said Yugal, who was making his multi-day debut at the under-23 level. He had played a one-dayer for the under-23s last season.

The right-handed Yugal, who represents Mount Cricket Club in DDCA League, had played for Delhi under-19s in the Covid year, scoring 400 including two centuries in five matches.

Yugal Saini scored a century and a fifty

After Delhi had made 273, left-arm spinner Rounak Waghela took 5/26 while Akhil Chaudhary scalped 4/28 as the Sujal Singh-led side took a 144-run lead after bowling out Chhattisgarh for 129.

Comfortably placed, Delhi could now build on the lead.

Ankit Rajesh Kumar, another batsman making his under-23 multi-day debut, now chipped in with a century. Ankit, who represents Golden Hawks in DDCA League, is among the most fluent-to-watch batsmen in Delhi.

The left-hander hammered 100 off 121 balls (9x4s, 6x6s) while Yugal scored 59 off 104 balls.

Ankit Kumar hammered 100 off 121 balls

“The pitch wasn’t easy to bat on. I survived the pacers and attacked the left-arm spinners, played shots and that is why they came under pressure. I didn’t let the spinners bowl. This was my first days’ game,” said Ankit who played four one-dayers this season and scored 47, 75, 60 and 0.  

Set a target of 382, Chhattisgarh fell short by 104 runs. Bhardwaj picked 4/54 while his fellow left-arm spinner Waghela took 4/95.

Waghela, who plays for Golden Eagles in DDCA League, returned with match figures of 9/121.

Tags : Delhi cricket, Yugal Saini, Ankit Kumar, Rounak Waghela, Col CK Nayudu Trophy, Chhattisgarh, Bhilai