Ranji Trophy 2017 final, Delhi vs Vidarbha, Day 1: Dhruv Shorey takes Delhi to 271/6 at stumps

Rajneesh Gurbani struck immediately after Lunch as he got the big wicket of Delhi captain Rishabh Pant. The left-handed batsman looked unsettled on the pitch and gave away an easy catch behind the stumps to Vidarbha wicketkeeper Akshay Wadkar. As Delhi looked in trouble of sorts, losing 4 wickets early in the day, Dhruv Shorey and Himmat Singh took it upon themselves to bring the side back in the game. Both the batsmen went on to score their first class cricket fifties, with Singh being the primary aggressor. He completed his half century in just 60 balls with the help of 4 fours and 2 sixes. The duo added 81 runs before Tea and took Delhi’s total to 180 runs at the close of the 2nd session.

Ranji Trophy 2017 final, Delhi vs Vidarbha highlights

1630 hrs IST: STUMPS on Day 1! Dhruv Shorey’s century and the brisk fifty by Himmat Singh took Delhi to a comfortable position in the match at stumps. Delhi close at 271/6

1620 hrs IST: With just 4 overs in the day remaining, Vidarbha are trying hard to get another wicket with the new ball. But Dhruv Shorey and Vikas Mishra look settled on the crease and are ensuring they do not lose any more wicket.

1600 hrs IST: Vidarbha are suffering with two injuries at the moment. While Satish, who was struck by the ball at the boundary has suffered a nose injury, Gurbani has left the field after complaining of some troubles in his ankle. How much will it hurt Vidarbha in the final session?

1542 hrs IST: HUNDRED! Dhruv Shorey knocks his second first-class cricket hundred and he has been the real thorn for Vidarbha. Wickets kept tumbling on the other end, but the 25-year kept his calm and went about his business. Scoring a ton on the big stage. 

1540 hrs IST: WICKET! The bowling change has worked again for Vidarbha as Siddhesh Neral gets the wicket of Manan Sharma. Bowl was going away from the batsman, Sharma gets an edge and the bowl goes to the man at second slips. Delhi lose their 6th wicket. DEL 242/6

1510 hrs IST: Dhruv Shorey has entered the 90s here. Can he score a Ranji Trophy final century?

1500 hrs IST: Rajneesh Gurbani looks to be in some trouble here. He is complaining of some pain in his ankle. And now he has walked off the field after bowling 5 balls in his over. Will this hurt Vidarbha as the match progresses?

1445 hrs IST: WICKET! Rajneesh Gurbani gets the wicket of Himmat Singh out of nowhere. What a comeback from the bowler who was struck for 3 boundaries in the over. Singh departs on 66 and Vidarbha will hope to capitalise now. DEL 204/5 

1430 hrs IST: Back from TEA! Himmat Singh’s strikes Rajneesh Gurbani for a four in the third ball with an excellent cover drive. Can Gurbani inspire Vidarbha to break the partnership here?

1410 hrs IST: TEA! Himmat Singh completes his half century in just 60 balls. He has scored 4 boundaries and 2 sixes in the innings and has helped Delhi in regaining hold of the match after Rishabh Pant got out just after Lunch. Delhi reach 180/4 at Tea.

1400 hrs IST: Himmat Singh is approaching his 50. The right-hand batsman has scored at an exceptional pace here and has eased off the rising pressure on Dhruv Shorey. Delhi are now starting to come back into the match.

1330 hrs IST: The partnership between Dhruv Shorey and Himmat Singh reach 50 runs in just 84 balls. Delhi is looking to bounce back in the match on the back of the partnership and Vidarbha are looking slightly clueless on how to get another wicket here.

1305 hrs IST: FIFTY! It has been solid innings from Dhruv Shorey and he notched up his 7th first-class cricket Test half century.

1300 hrs IST: With Delhi under pressure, it’s the skipper who has taken the ball, to give some rest to his bowlers. Can Faiz Fazal provide wicket here.

1250 hrs IST: It has been a good show by Vidarbha fast bowlers and a good display of captaincy by Faiz Fazal. He kept rotating his bowlers, calling spinners at the right time and giving breaks to his fast bowlers. Delhi are on a backfoot now having lost 4 wickets in the day.

1235 hrs IST: WICKET! Rajneesh Gurbani gets the precious wicket of Delhi’s captain Rishabh Pant. Always the man on big occasions, Gurbani. Pant losing his concentration and touching a ball that was too much outside the stumps. Easy catch for the wicketkeeper behind. DEL 99/4

1210 hrs IST: CHANCE! Back after Lunch and in the very first over there was a chance for Vidarbha to get the captain Rishabh Pant out following a mix-up. Pant was way outside his crease but the fielder threw the ball on the wrong end.

1130  hrs IST: LUNCH on DAY 1! Vidarbha captain Faiz Fazal will be happy from the efforts displayed by his bowlers. It was a pressure match – first Ranji final – and debut for Aditya Thakare who took two wickets, including the one of danger man Nitish Rana. Akshay Wakhare also provided another breakthrough and got Gautam Gambhir out. Delhi reach 89 for 3 at Lunch.

1100 hrs IST: WICKET! Aditya Thakare gets another one here and it’s in-form batsman Nitish Rana who departs on 21. What an inswinger, comes inside and raps on the pads. It was clearly hitting leg stumps and the umpire raised his fingers immediately. DEL 65/3

1045 hrs IST: Rajneesh Gurbani has been bowling tremendously well here but has not been able to convert it into a wicket. Here is a bowling change and Aditya Sarwate comes into the attack. And he is greeted with a six straight down the ground by Nitish Rana. He is so good against the spin.

1030 hrs IST: SHARP TURN! Akshay Wakhare is spinning the ball here and is troubling both the batsmen. Can he get another breakthrough here?

1015 hrs IST: Skipper Faiz Fazal will be happy with his bowlers who gave him two early blows in the first session. But still, plenty of time remains for Lunch and Vidarbha will be keen to give Delhi another blow before the close of the session.

1000 hrs IST: WICKET! Gautam Gambhir is clean bowled here and the bowling change worked for Vidarbha. Smart captaincy by Faiz Fazal who brought Akshay Wakhare to the attack. Flighted delivery from the spinner completely beats Gambhir, who departed on 15. Delhi 30/2

0945 hrs IST: Siddhesh Neral has replaced Rajneesh Gurbani from one and he has looked as sharp as the other two. It is slim pickings for Delhi at the moment, who are taking their time on Day 1.

0930 hrs IST: Vidarbha has looked sharp with the new ball in the first 30 minutes and has troubled Delhi batsmen. But Dhruv Shorey and Gautam Gambhir has played out the initial dangers and are now looking much more settled on the pitch.

0918 hrs IST: Dhruv Shorey and Gautam Gambhir have batted carefully against the strong bowling line-up that Vidarbha possesses. Interesting to see Fazal handing the first ball to Aditya Thakare, the debutant, rather than to semis hero Rajneesh Gurbani. It has worked wonders for him as he is looking extremely confident on the field right now.

0902 hrs IST: WICKET! Aditya Thakare gets his maiden Ranji wicket in his first over and Vidarbha are on a roll here. Good outswinger and Kunal Chandela knicks it and gives an easy catch at slips to skipper Faiz Fazal. What a moment for the young lad! DEL 0/1

0900 hrs IST: Here we go, and it is the debutant Vidarbha bowler Aditya Thakare starts off with No-ball. It is Kunal Chandela and Gautam Gambhir opening the innings for Delhi.

0845 hrs IST: Vidarbha captain Faiz Fazal won the toss and has elected to field first against Delhi.

0830 hrs IST: Hello and welcome to our Live blog on the Ranji Trophy 2017 final. Get ready for an exciting first day ahead.

Delhi: Himmat Singh, Rishabh Pant (C) (W), Gautam Gambhir, Nitish Rana, Dhruv Shorey, Vikas Mishra , Navdeep Amarjeet Saini, Manan Sharma, Akash Sudan, Kunal Chandela, Kulwant Khejroliya

Vidarbha: F Y Fazal (C), A A Wakhare, A A Sarwate, A V Wankhade, Ganesh Satish, S R Ramaswamy, Siddhesh Sunil Neral, Wasim Jaffer, A V Wadkar (W), R N Gurbani, A S Thakare

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