Former champions Delhi stuck to their pre-match gameplan to weave a deserving eight wicket win over Tamil Nadu and progress to the Ranji Trophy Super League semi-finals in Chennai on Friday.
Delhi had got three points by virtue of their first innings lead but the victory helped them top the group with 23 points. Saurashtra finished with the same tally but Delhi had a superior run quotient.
Resuming at 10 without loss chasing 105 for victory, Delhi lost opener Aakash Chopra for 16 when he was caught by Srinivasan off Suresh Kumar in the 16th over.
Captain Gautam Gambhir (40) also made an exit offering an easy catch to Yomahesh off Suresh.
At that stage, Delhi required 41 runs to romp home as experienced player Mithun Manhas, who remained unbeaten with 32 off just 21 balls with four boundaries, and Shikhar Dhawan (14 not out, two fours) got the required runs.
Scorecard:
Tamilnadu (first innings): 268
Delhi (first innings): 338
Tamil Nadu (second innings): 164
Delhi (second innings):
Akash Chopra c Srinivasan b Sureshkumar 16
Gautham Gambir c Yeo Mahesh b Sures h 40
S Dhawan not out 14
Mitun Manhas not out 32
Extras: (nb-3) 3
Total (2 wickets in 25.5 overs) 105
Fall of wickets: 1/42, 2/65
Bowling: Yeo Mahesh 7-1-23-0, P Amarnath 6-2-14-0, Suresh Kumar 6.5-0-38-1, C Suesh 6-1-30-1.
