Bhati Slams Lighting Fifty as Delhi Eye Outright Win Against Bengal

Kolkata, Jan 1 (PTI) Subodh Bhati top-scored with a lightning 62 down the order in Delhi's second innings to help the visitors take firm control over hosts Bengal in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match here Tuesday.

Bhati, who had shown his batting exploits with an astounding 57-ball 207 in a Goa League T20 match in March this year, smashed six sixes and five fours en route to his maiden first-class fifty.

The Delhi frontline pacer, who claimed three wickets in the first innings, added 80 valuable runs for the last wicket with his bowling partner Kulwant Khejroliya (21 not out) before being run out by Ashok Dinda.

Bhati's powerplay propped Delhi to 301 in their second essay, setting Bengal an improbable 322 target on the final day.

"It was the last wicket, and I just wanted to capitalise. Their plan was to bowl short. But I was confident that the ball would either hit the helmet or I would clear the rope. We were ready," Bhati said as he hit two sixes each against Bengal pacers Dinda and Mukesh Kumar.

"I take my batting seriously. I opened in club cricket and batted higher up the order for Delhi initially but after flopping, I returned to concentrate on my bowling," a modest Bhati added.

Returning to bowl, Bhati almost claimed Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran for duck when he induced an outside edge to be caught by a composed Kunal Chandela at first slip but the umpired ruled it not out.

"It's part of game. Only third umpire could see. There's a bit of help from the wicket. 300 runs would not be easy," Bhati said as Delhi looked to bag six points, virtually shutting Bengal's aspiration on the final day.

Having survived a tricky phase of three overs, Bengal were 18 for no loss at close on the penultimate day.

In a wishful thinking, Bengal pacer Dinda however said their batsmen, who have been struggling to put together a collective effort, would easily chase down 322.

"I've bowled the maximum (52 overs) on this wicket. I know the wicket inside out. You have to see through the morning session, then it would be a pure batting wicket. Our batsmen should easily chase it down," Dinda said.

"We always knew that we would have to chase 300 runs. We will go for six points," Dinda said, recollecting their semifinal ouster by Delhi last season.

"It's still fresh in our minds. So, this is our match to win." he said high on hopes.

Resuming day four on 41 for two with a 20-run first innings lead, Delhi moved at a sluggish pace and were reduced to 221 for nine with Ashok Dinda (5/88) claiming his 26th five-for, en route to a nine-wicket match haul.

In a must-win match, the home side fancied their chances with Delhi's last pair at crease but Bhati came in their way.

Earlier, Himmat Singh (51) struck his fifth first-class half-century as he showed fine composure with Jonty Sidhu (42).

The duo added 85 runs for the fifth wicket to lend Delhi stability after Dinda trapped Delhi skipper Nitish Rana LBW for 17.

Brief Scores:

Delhi: 240 and 301 in 96.4 overs (Subodh Bhati 62, Himmat Singh 51, Jonty Sidhu 42; Ashok Dinda 5/88) vs Bengal 220 and 18 for no loss in 3 overs (Abhishek Raman 8 batting, Abhimanyu Easwaran 6 batting).

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