Delhi finish day 1 at 256/3 against Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy opener

Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s gamble of putting Delhi into bat after winning the toss proved to be futile as the latter finished the first day at an impressive 256 for three at close of play in the four-day Ranji Trophy season opener (Elite Group D) at NexGen Cricket Academy Ground (Hakimpet) near here on Wednesday.
Fast bowler, Punnaiah, playing his fifth Ranji game, struck the first blow, forcing opener Arpit Rana to snick to slip fielder Himateja and the left-arm pacer Chama Milind induced a poor stroke from Yash Dull (0), deceiving him in pace, to be caught while attempting a lofted shot to make it 24 for two in 11th over.
However, captain Ayush Badoni (53, 72b, 9×4) demonstrated the essence of taking the fight into the rival camp with some exquisite strokes, especially against the left-arm spinner G. Aniketh Reddy, whom he didn’t allow to settle down.
In the company of the opener and southpaw Sanat Sangwan (91 batting, 257b, 11×4), he put on a crucial 89 run stand for the third wicket which pushed Hyderabad back on to the back foot.
When Milind came back to trap the well-set Badoni lbw to make it 113 for three in 36th over, it looked the host was well and truly coming back into the game.
But, debutant and southpaw Ayush Doseja (97 batting, 141b,13×4, 3×6) showed great composure and wonderful strokeplay and put on an unbroken 143-run stand off 286 balls with the more solid looking Sangwan to ensure the day well and truly belonged to Delhi.
Hyderabad clearly paid a heavy price to a rare fielding lapse by Rohit Rayudu. When Doseja, who essayed an upper-cut off the tall and lanky pacer Saranu Nishanth one bounce to the third-man fence, captain Tilak Varma immediately moved Rohit, who was fielding near the point region to third man. And, Doseja (on 30) repeated the shot of the next ball only to see Rayudu fumble badly and let the ball fly over the fence for a six.
After that it was a Delhi show, literally as the Hyderabad bowlers struggled and clearly felt the absence of the seasoned left-arm spinner Tanay Thyagarajan, who was ruled out for this match because of an injury.
The scorecard: Delhi – 1st innings: Arpit Rana c Himateja b Punnaiah 7, Sanat Sangwan batting 91, Yash Dull c Tanmay b Milind 0, Ayush Badoni lbw b Milind 53, Ayush Doseja batting 97.
Extras: (b-7, lb-1) 8
Total: (for three wickets in 83 overs) 256
Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-24, 3-113.
Hyderabad bowling: Chama Milind 11-1-34-2, B. Punnaiah 15-1-41-1, Saranu Nishanth 12-5-28-0, Anikethreddy 25-2-90-0, Rohit Rayudu 16-5-34-0, Tilak Varma 3-0-15-0, Varun Goud 1-0-6-0.