Awana, Narwal put Delhi in command

NEW DELHI: Delhi’s new ball bowlers Parvinder Awana and Sumit Narwal wielded their willows to great effect as the hosts got themselves to an advantageous position against Saurashtra on the second day of their group B Ranji Trophy cricket match here on Monday.

Courtesy entertaining halfcenturies from Awana (61) and Narwal (65), Delhi reached a respectable first innings score of 442 in 127.2 overs.

In reply, Saurashtra reached 152/6 at stumps, 290 runs still in arrears. To save the follow-on Saurashtra still need 141 runs.

Having nicely warmed himself up with big hits, Awana (3/20) provided the initial breakthroughs while, Rajat Bhatia (3/24), also chipped in with useful scalps rocking the middle order.

Skipper Gautam Gambhir (147) could add only 24 to his overnight score of 123 before being run out while going for a misjudged single.

The skipper’s knock lasted seven hours and 10 minutes, facing 308 balls with 18 boundaries and two sixes. With Awana, he added 54 for the seventh wicket.

Once Gambhir was gone with the scoreboard reading 313 for seven, Awana took the team score past 350.

BRIEF SCORES: Delhi 442 in 127.2 overs (Gambhir 147, Narwal 65, Awana 61, S Tyagi 3/95) Saurashtra 152/6 in 52 overs (Divyaraj Chauhan 40 batting, Arpit Vasavada 38, P Awana 3/20, Rajat Bhatia 3 /24)