Sharandeep grinds out a half-century on a slow-moving opening day

Staying put: Sharandeep’s unbeaten 64 got here off 183 balls. | Picture: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

On a dark day within the nationwide capital the place play was affected by smog within the morning and unhealthy gentle within the night, Jharkhand opener Sharandeep Singh exhibited ample persistence and a decent defence to compile an unbeaten 64.

He consumed 183 balls, making for a slow-moving opening day between Delhi and Jharkhand in a Group D Ranji Trophy tie on the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday.

At stumps, the customer reached 136 for 3 within the 55 overs that had been doable. Jharkhand may have been in a stronger place had left-hand batter Utkarsh Singh not flicked a half-volley on leg stump from Siddhant Sharma to Yash Dhull at sq. leg within the remaining session. He had batted properly till then to make 46.

On a hazy morning that led to the beginning of play being delayed by two hours, Delhi elected to bowl.

With Simarjeet Singh again from damage and Cash Grewal drafted into the enjoying XI, the host was counting on its pacers to take advantage of a pitch with a smattering of grass.

Whereas Siddhant and Simarjeet shared the brand new ball, Grewal managed to offer the opening breakthrough early in his first spell.

Having denied Nazim a run off his bowling for 15 deliveries, Grewal was rewarded when he pitched the ball full and invited a lavish drive, inducing an outdoor edge that was snaffled by Himmat Singh at second slip.

Earlier than lunch, Simarjeet was maybe a tad responsible of bowling a wider line that allowed the batters to go away at their will.

When he went full and straight to Aryaman Sen within the fourth over after the 40-minute interval, the ball rattled the stumps for his lone wicket.

Sharandeep and Utkarsh had been in a position to lend some solidity to the innings by stitching collectively a 93-run stand in 30.2 overs for the third wicket.

Utkarsh drove a couple of instances with authority by means of cowl level and mid-off in opposition to the pacers earlier than squandering it away with a free shot.

The scores: Jharkhand — 1st innings: Md. Nazim c Himmat b Grewal 6, Sharandeep Singh (batting) 64, Aryaman Sen b Simarjeet 5, Utkarsh Singh c Dhull b Siddhant 46, Virat Singh (batting) 6; Extras (b-4, lb-2, w-2, nb-1): 9; Complete (for 3 wkts. in 55 overs): 136.

Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-30, 3-123.

Delhi bowling: Siddhant 14-5-32-1, Simarjeet 14-7-16-1, Grewal 14-4-43-1, Shivam 6-2-20-0, Gusain 3-0-16-0, Badoni 2-1-2-0, Mathur 2-1-1-0.