NEW DELHI: Delhi secured a resounding 10-wicket victory over Assam in their Ranji Trophy Group D encounter, registering their maiden win of the season on Tuesday. The triumph was orchestrated by Sumit Mathur's exceptional batting display and the pacers' outstanding performance.
Mathur, a left-handed batsman, scored a patient 112 off 230 deliveries, propelling Delhi to a total of 454 in response to Assam's first innings score of 330. The hosts then reduced Assam to 44 for 3 in their second innings on Monday.
On the final day, Assam were skittled out for 182 in 42 overs, with the Delhi pacers wreaking havoc. The pace attack accounted for eight Assam batsmen in their second innings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Assam lost three wickets in quick succession, adding just one run to their overnight score. Sibsankar Roy (4), Bhargav Dutta (0), and captain Denish Das (1), who had retired hurt on Monday but resumed batting on Tuesday, were dismissed within the span of eight deliveries.
Sumit Ghadigaonkar, batting at number 7, offered spirited resistance with an unbeaten 76 off 96 balls, but his efforts were in vain as he ran out of partners.
Delhi pacer Harshit Rana, recently named in the Indian squad for the upcoming Test tour of Australia, claimed another wicket on Tuesday, finishing with innings figures of 2/61.
His fellow pacers Siddhant Sharma (3/24) and Money Grewal (3/50) picked up three wickets each, while off-spinner Jonty Sidhu (1/0) also chipped in with a wicket. One batsman was run out.
Assam managed to add 138 runs on Tuesday, losing seven wickets in the process and facing 27 overs.
Chasing a target of 59 runs, Delhi openers Sanat Sangwan (34 not out) and Gagan Vats (25 not out) achieved the required total in 16.1 overs without losing a wicket.
Delhi collected seven points from the match, while Assam returned empty-handed. The hosts are currently third in Group D with 11 points, having drawn their previous two matches.
Mathur's patient century on Monday, after being overlooked for the first two games, put Delhi in a commanding position to secure an outright victory against Assam.
Brief Scores:
Assam 330 and 182 all out in 42 overs (Sumit Ghadigaonkar 76 not out; Siddhant Sharma 3/24, Money Grewal 3/50, Harshit Rana 2/61).
