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Monday, Nov 19, 2007
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Pujara denies Delhi a win

Special Correspondent

CRICKET / He scores an unbeaten 148 off 244 balls

— Photo: V.V. Krishnan

OUTSTANDING EFFORT: Cheteshwar Pujara’s knock ensured a draw for Saurashtra.

NEW DELHI: Cheteshwar Pujara would remember the day he spent at the Roshanara ground. So would the Delhi team.

In an innings that highlighted the 19-year-old’s stupendous self-belief, Pujara hit an unbeaten 148 and denied Delhi a victory in the Ranji Trophy Elite league match here on Sunday. In the end, just one wicket stood in Delhi’s way.

Sangwan sizzles

The youngsters stood out on the final day of a well-contested match.

Left-arm seamer Pradeep Sangwan put Saurashtra on the backfoot with an incisive spell in the morning after Delhi declared at the overnight score of 295 for two.

Sangwan scalped the first four Saurashtra batsmen as the visiting squad slumped to 60 for four.

Kanaiya Vaghela, Sitanshu Kotak, Sagar Jogiyani and skipper Jaydav Shah, who earned a ‘pair,’ fell to Sangwan’s lethal spell. Saurashtra suffered further when Ishant Sharma packed off Pratik Mehta.

At 63 for five, there was little hope for Saurashtra but Pujara was in no mood to give up.

When Ravindra Jadeja and Kamlesh Makvana deserted Pujara at the score of 101, Delhi must have been confident of wrapping up the contest. The dismissal of Rakesh Dhruv also promised an early end but Pujara was not finished yet.

Growing in strength

Delhi had 53 overs to snare the last two Saurashtra wickets but failed to do so. Pujara grew in strength, dominated the strike, and guided partners Sandeep Jobunputra and Sandip Maniar to leave Delhi frustrated. Such was Pujara’s application at the crease that even the opposition applauded his effort that lasted 244 balls and contained 27 fours.

Pujara likes to graft and rarely indulges in any flamboyance. He was determined to defy the bowlers and produced a flawless innings that was rich in quality and temperament.

His concentration never faltered and the bowlers failed to find his edge even once.

Chipping in

Jobanputra, having contributed handsomely with the ball on the first day, chipped in with the bat. His valuable knock of 35 came off 99 balls, while last man Maniar faced 32 balls before the light became too bad for the game to continue.

Pujara emerged the hero of the contest for his priceless performance, while Delhi reflected on the chance lost to secure a second win in as many matches.

The scores: Delhi — 1st innings: 244.

Saurashtra — 1st innings: 213.

Delhi — 2nd innings: 295 for two decl.

Saurashtra — 2nd innings: K. Vaghela b Sangwan 0, S. Jogiyani b Sangwan 35, S. Kotak lbw b Sangwan 6, C. Pujara (not out) 148, J. Shah c Bisht b Sangwan 0, P. Mehta lbw b Ishant 1, R. Jadeja c Kohli b Ishant 13, K. Makvana b Ishant 0, R. Dhruv c Kohli b Bhatia 2, S. Jobanputra b Manhas 35, S. Maniar (not out) 5; Extras (b-1, lb-1, nb-4, w-3): 9; Total (for nine wkts. in 85 overs): 254.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-33, 3-56, 4-60, 5-63, 6-101, 7-101, 8-106, 9-225.

Delhi bowling: Sangwan 23-4-70-4, Ishant 24-8-79-3, Bhandari 11-2-30-0, Nanda 9-1-26-0, Bhatia 11-2-25-1, Manhas 7-0-22-1.

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