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Centurions Gambhir and Chandela put Delhi in commanding position

The 232-run opening stand between Gautam Gambhir (127 off 216) and Kunal Chandela (113 off 192) helped Delhi seize the advantage in the semi-final clash in Pune. While Chandela posted his maiden first-class ton, the left-handed batsman completed 6000 runs in Ranji Trophy as he helped shape a reply to Bengal’s 286 all out.

Karun Nair’s marathon effort (148* off 261) helped tip the balance in Karnataka’s favour on Day 2 of the match against Vidarbha.

Here are the highlights of Day 2, Ranji Trophy 2017-18 semi-finals:

Bengal vs Delhi in Pune: With a masterful century, Gambhir guided Delhi to a solid position until returning to the pavilion at the stroke of stumps. A short ball from Mohammed Shami grazed past the left-handed opener’s gloves and was collected by the wicketkeeper leaving Delhi on 271 for three. 
 
While Shami’s late breakthrough would bring relief to Bengal, Gambhir’s well compiled knock has tipped the balance in Delhi’s favour. Opening the innings with Chandela he forged a 232-run partnership with the youngster to script a reply. The pair milked the Bengal attack comprising Ashok Dinda and Shami to shift the momentum in Delhi’s favour.

Chandela pulled Dinda to the boundary to bring up his maiden first-class century and followed his senior partner to the three-figure mark. With a patient display he had worked his way to 113 until a brilliant one-handed diving catch by Shreevats Goswami to his right sent back Chandela after the opener had edged B Amit. 15 runs later, Dhruv Shorey was sent back by Dinda leaving Delhi on 247 for two. With the close of day’s play in sight, Gambhir too returned to the pavilion.

At stumps, Delhi were trailing by 15 runs with Nitish Rana batting on 11.

Earlier, resuming the innings on 269 for seven, Bengal were bowled out for 286. Wielding the new ball, Navdeep Amarjeet Saini trapped Shreevats Goswami lbw to leave the team on 283 for eight. In the next over, Aamir Gani was run out attempting to sneak in a single. Three runs later, Dinda departed taking an aerial route off Kulwant Khejroliya bringing curtains down on the innings.

Scorecard - http://www.bcci.tv/ranji-trophy-2017-18/match/89

Vidarbha vs Karnataka in Kolkata: After resuming the Karnataka innings on 36 for three, Nair anchored the side to a comfortable position until the end of day’s play. The middle-order batsman who was on six when play began on the second day rebuilt the innings with a 139-run stand with CM Gautam. The duo batted determinedly to seize the advantage from Vidarbha. They had taken the team to 160 when Gautam was removed by Umesh Yadav at the stroke of Lunch.

With wickets falling in succession at the other end in the second session, Nair ensured that the team surpassed Vidarbha’s first innings total. 14 runs post Lunch, Stuart Binny was sent back by Rajneesh Gurbani. A bit later, Shreyas Gopal edged the bowler to the slips and departed leaving the team on 192 for six. In the bowler’s next over, Gowtham K was his fifth scalp leaving Karnataka on 198 for seven. With Abhimanyu Mithun for company, Nair then took the team past the 200-run mark and also brought his hundred. However, with the team on 225, Mithun bowled by A Sarvate.

Skipper Vinay Kumar then joined Nair in taking the team to Tea at 247 for eight. The duo continued to add to the lead in the final session of the day and had extended it to 109 when play ended for the day. Their partnership was unbroken on 69 as they took Karnataka to Stumps at 294 for eight.

Scorecard - http://www.bcci.tv/ranji-trophy-2017-18/match/90