North Zone speedster Ishant Sharma struck in his first over to leave West Zone precariously placed at six for one on the second day of the Duleep Trophy quarterfinals here at the MAC Stadium on Sunday writes the Deccan Chronicle.
Ishant, generating good pace, dismissed Ajinkya Rahane off the very first delivery that the batsman faced.
For West Zone, it was always going to be a tricky situation to see off the three possible overs after their opponents were bundled out at the fag-end of the day’s play.
Rahane perished while trying to fiddle with an away going delivery as wicketkeeper Nitin Saini did well to complete a low catch, diving to his right. The Indian batsman’s wicket came as a body blow to the West Zone unit.
Meanhile The Hindu writes tthat North Zone effectively seized the reins of the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal match against West Zone, hammering 484 in its first innings here on Sunday. Paras Dogra (77, 147b, 10x4, 1x6), Amit Mishra (48, 94b, 2x4, 2x6) and Rishi Dhawan (38, 5x4) provided the critical thrust to shape North’s innings on day two.
West’s bowling efforts were piloted by off-spinner Kamlesh Makwana (five for 140), whose lack of genuine menace was masked by accuracy.
In reply, West finished with six for one at stumps with Kaustubh Pawar and night-watchman Murtuja Vahora at the crease.
In the morning, North’s slow start to move past its overnight score of 251 — didn’t bode well.
Nitin Saini’s departure in the third over, without adding a run to his tally on the previous day, hinted at a possible collapse. He was out leg-before after his toe came in the way of a Murtuja Vahora in-ducker.
West’s decision to take the second new ball late on Saturday evening was justified as it was rewarded with two wickets. Dogra and Mayank Sidhana, then, went on to plaster the minor cracks — their 48-run alliance set the template for similar partnerships in the lower order.
It was Fallah who put an end to the collaboration as Sidhana’s violent swish landed in the hands of Makwana at gully.
From there, the 27-year-old Dogra and Dhawan took over. The Himachal duo’s association of 88 runs formed some of the day’s more interesting vignettes.
Amit Mishra played a cameo spruced up by good fortune. First, he received the benefit of doubt when Harmeet claimed a return catch. In the next over, Amit Mishra, on two, watched Fallah spill a dolly at mid-on.
Along with Ishant, who stuck it out for 90 minutes, Amit Mishra nudged the score forward. Towards the end, Parvinder Awana amused himself with some heavy-hitting.
By Indian Sports News Network