Ishant serves aces as Delhi win on grass
Posted on Nov 30, 2008 at 18:00 | Updated Nov 30, 2008 at 21:16
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New Delhi: The term green top derives its name from the live grass left on a cricket pitch, but its also symbolic of the colour of the batsmen's faces at the very sight of one. Just that it's not envy in this case, but a look resembling that of a disease.
If the first day of the Ranji Trophy Super League match between champions Delhi and Orissa was anything to go by – 24 wickets fell with Delhi on 38-4 in their second innings – it was unlikely that the game would see the light of the fourth day. It didn't even stretch into the third, as the hosts wrapped up the game minutes after the tea break on the second day, registering their first win of the season.
In a game where both sides perished for scores under 100 in their first innings, it was only a matter of conjecture that a standout performance from one batsman would be enough to separate them. Delhi's Sumit Narwal, batting at No. 8, proved to be that spark.
His 75-ball 66, which included four towering sixes, got the home side to a 'respectable' 150 in their second essay, enough to defend on a wicket which could have easily been mistaken for a portion in the lawns of Wimbledon. Orissa were blown away for 96, handing the defending champions a 52-run victory, but more importantly, five points with an outright win.
Delhi had been plagued by injuries as well as absence of international players before this tie. But the return of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma did wonders to their confidence, even though only the tall pacer turned out to be a significant contributor.
Ishant blew away the Orissa batting in the first innings with seven wickets, before returning to take another four.
High on confidence after his exploits with the bat, Narwal broke the back of the Orissa second innings in his first spell. He rightfully got the new ball and took 3-25 on an overcast second day, frequently disrupted by the umpires taking out the light metre.
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