Chandela, Rana salvage commendable draw for Delhi

Opener Kunal Chandela and Nitish Rana salvaged a commendable draw for Delhi with gritty centuries after following-on against Kerala in their Rani Trophy opener here on Thursday.

Resuming day four at 142 for one, Delhi were staring at an innings defeat, but Chandela (125 off 219) and Rana (114 off 164) ensured their team got one point out of the Group A game.

Delhi, who were bundled out for 142 on a decent batting surface, put up a much improved batting effort after following-on, ending their second innings at 395 for four in 112 overs.

On day three, Anuj Rawat (87) and Chandela had put up a 130-run stand for the opening wicket.

On the fourth and final day, Chandela and Rana added 118 runs for the fourth wicket to frustrate the opposition.

Kerala got a much needed breakthrough early in the day when first-innings star Jalaj Saxena removed Delhi skipper Dhruv Shorey (20). After that, it was all Delhi as Chandela and Rana held fort. Chandela hit 11 fours in his dogged knock while Rana smashed four sixes and 11 boundaries.

Jonty Sindhu (30 not out) and Lalit Yadav (13 not out) were in the middle when the match ended.

Delhi next face Andhra in Ongole, beginning December 17.

In Jaipur, Punjab wrapped up the game by 10 wickets by bowling Rajasthan out for 168 in their second innings.

Needing just 68 for win, Sanvir Singh (26 not out off 42) and Shubman Gill (36 not out off 28) completed the job in 11.4 overs.

In Hyderabad, Gujarat pocked six points with an eight-wicket win over the hosts. Gujarat dismissed Hyderabad for 266 in their second innings. Set a 187-run target, Gujarat got the job done in 36.4 overs with the loss of two wickets. Priyank Panchal scored 90 and Bhargav Meria an unbeaten 69.