Munaf leaves Delhi in tatters

Vadodara:

Ranji Trophy Champions Delhi faltered to 131-5 from a healthy position of 80-1 at one stage as the teams broke for Lunch on Day 2 of the Z.R Irani Cup 2008-09 here at the IPCL Sports Complex today.

Resuming on an overnight score of 21-0, Gautam Gambhir was dismissed in just the second over of the morning session with senior India fast bowler Zaheer Khan drawing the Delhi opener forward and inducing an edge from his bat with Dravid at first slip clinging on to the catch.

Delhi captain Virender Sehwag (43 runs, 57 balls, 4x3, 6x1) joined Aakash Chopra (42 runs, 68 balls, 4x7) and rebuild the innings. The duo played attacking strokes, not allowing the two left-armers RP Singh and Zaheer Khan to settle into a rhythm. It was Munaf Patel (3-23) who came along and ripped through the Delhi top-order.

The lanky Baroda paceman dismissed Chopra and later got Virat Kohli (4) and Mithun Minhas (4) in quick succession – both edging a delivery to keeper Dhoni. Rajat Bhatia (12) and wicketkeeper Puneet Bisht (15) remained unbeaten during the lunch interval. Delhi trailed Rest of India by 127 runs at the juncture of the game.

Virender Sehwag’s dismissal was the highlight of the morning session. The Delhi skipper looked in sublime touch and played Kumble, Harbhajan and Munaf with great ease until a big leg-break from Kumble got him to edge one to Dravid at first slip. It was clearly the turning point in the Ranji Trophy champions’ first innings.

Munaf Patel was the pick of the bowlers for Rest of India. He claimed three wickets and has already made a strong case for selection in the first Test against Australia. Munaf was Rest of India’s best bowler during last year’s Irani Cup campaign as well | Watch 2007-08 Highlights