NE slump to 65/3 after NZ make 540/8
BENGALURU: The 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season was a mess for Delhi. Infighting, injuries, and some embarrassing performances culminated in the team not qualifying for the knockouts. As a pace-reliant unit, they missed the services of Navdeep Saini, Ishant Sharma (played one match) and a young Simarjeet Singh (2 matches).
In this gloomy backdrop, the colour to their campaign was offered by 21-year-old debutant Harshit Rana, who emerged their leading wicket-taker (21wickets). In their last league outing against Hyderabad, he showcased his batting skills with a half-century (58).
Fresh from his exploits with Kolkata Knight Riders, Rana showed his resourcefulness with the willow, crafting his maiden first-class century (122 n. o; 86b; 12x4; 9x6). On a day when Northeast Zone crumbled under pressure, North Zone took control of their Duleep Trophy match. At the M Chinnaswamy stadium here, North declared after piling up 540/8 and then reduced their opponents to 65/3. At the end of the rain-interrupted day, North had a massive 475-run lead. North's scorecard was highlighted by three centuries- Dhruv Shorey (135), Nishant Sindhu (150) and Rana.
Sindhu and Rana played contrasting innings. Sindhu was patient and waited for the loose balls, which came in plenty, while Rana was all fired up and punctured whatever resistance was left of the Northeast bowlers.
Unlike the opening day, where they got early assistance from the wicket, on Thursday, the Northeast bowlers were at sea and the two lower-order batters made the most of it during their 104-run association for the eighth wicket, which came in 17 overs.
Rana brought up his century off just 70 balls. North declared a few overs after Rana's 100 but there was no respite for their rivals, who lost their openers in quick succession and were left with their backs to the wall.
Central move ahead
In the other contest, Central Zone gained the upper hand, taking the first innings lead and stretching their overall advantage against East Zone to 124 runs when stumps were drawn. Replying to Central's 182, East crumbled to 122.
SCORES: North 540/8 decl. in 136 overs (N Sindhu 150, H Rana 122*; P Jotin 2-92, K Singha 2-74, I Lemtur 2-106) vs Northeast: 65/3 in 20 overs (N Lamichaney 35*). Central: 182 & 64/0 in 25.1 overs (V Singh 34*) vs East 122 in 42.2 overs (R Parag 33, M Mura Singh 30*; S Mavi 2-24, A Khan 3-34, S Kumar 3-46)
