New Delhi: Mithun Manhas brought all his experience into play to help Delhi recover from a spot of bother and stay in hunt for full three points against Odisha in their Group B Ranji Trophy match at the Ferozshah Kotla Stadium on Saturday.

Delhi who started the day on 62-3, posted 331 thanks to a brilliant ton by the experienced Manhas to take a first innings lead of 188. 

On a day when the batters found it difficult to bat, the 33 year old batsman toyed with the Odisha bowlers and scored an unbeaten 161 off 273 deliveries laced with 26 boundaries.

Manhas, veteran of 15 years was on course for a double hundred but lack of support from the other end saw him stay short eventually.

Delhi who started the day three wickets down never found it easy on a day when the ball was hardly rising above the knee-roll and they kept losing at a flurry.

It looked like Delhi will not take much lead but then a seventh wicket partnership between between Sumit Narwal and Manhas changed their fortune.

Narwal who was quite useful with the ball impressed with the bat as well and scored a fluent 95-ball 66 including eight four and a six.

Basant Mohanty was the wrecker-in-chief for Odisha with his spell of 4-81. Mohanty was well complemented by Alok Mangaraj who took 3-63.

Odisha after conceding a huge first innings lead ended the day on 0-7.

By Indian Sports News Network