Sarandeep spins Delhi to 200-run victory

A devastating four-wicket spell by off-spinner Sarandeep Singh helped Delhi bundle out Jammu and Kashmir for 268 runs in their second innings and register a thumping 200-run victory in the North Zone Ranji Trophy league match in Delhi on Tuesday.

Chasing a near-impossible victory target of 468 runs, J & K, resuming at 128 for three, continued to defy the Delhi bowlers in search of a draw.

Stylish batsman Kanwaljit Singh (90) tried his best to save the match, building partnerships with Shabir Kanth (42), Ashwani Gupta (26) and Raju Sharma (27) in a bid to salvage a draw for his team.

But Kanwaljit's dismissal, after his marathon 310-minute stay at the wicket, signalled the visitors' doom as the remaining batsmen caved in to Sarandeep's penetrating spin without offering any resistance.

The Delhi bowlers, who met with limited success on Monday, adorned an agressive posture and bowled with venom to skittle out J & K with nearly two sessions remaining on the final day.

While Sarandeep scalped four wickets for 60 runs off his 28 overs, fast bowler Amit Bandhari, who grabbed six wickets in J & K's first innings took three to finish the match with a rich nine-wicket haul.

It was Bhandari who provided Delhi with the first breakthrough on Tuesday as he trapped overnight batsman Guru Pratap (7) plump in front to make it 142 for four.

The dismissal brought Ashwani Gupta to the wicket and he and Kanwaljit, frustrated the Delhi bowling by stubbornly defending for 28 overs.

Just when it looked as if the duo would hold out for a draw, Kanwaljit, who looked set for a century, departed as he snicked a flipper from Sonu Vaid to 'keeper Varun Kumar.

Kanwaljit struck 11 boundaries in his 90, made from 225 balls.

Ashwani too perished after two overs, with the score at 200 for six, deceived by Harender Chaudhary. Sarandeep, who dismissed Dhruv Mahajan on Monday, got his second wicket when he send back Raju Sharma, who edged a full toss to Sohail Rauf at mid-wicket.

J & K skipper Vijay Sharma and 'keeper batsman Arshad Bhatt then joined together and tried to chart a recovery act as the two put up a 48-run partnership before Sarandeep struck again, sending back the skipper.

Vijay, who tried to hit a big one off Sarandeep, got a leading edge and Pradeep Chawla at forward short leg made no mistake.

Sarandeep completed his four-wicket haul when he sent back Abdul Qayoom (0) caught by Arun Singh.

Arshad (31 not out) tried to offer some resistance late in the day, but failed to get adequate suppport as Sarandeep and Bandhari wrapped up the tail cheaply.

Bandhari sent last man Jagtar Singh's stumps for a walk in the tenth over after lunch to seal Delhi's third succesive victory in the Ranji league matches.

The hosts had earlier defeated Services and Haryana.

Mail Cricket Editor