Putting behind their first innings debacle, Delhi rode an unbeaten innings of 70 India discard Aakash Chopra to reach 186 for five in their second essay on day two of the Elite group A Ranji Trophy match in New Delhi on Sunday.
At stumps, Chopra (70 not out, 232 balls, 9x4) and Mithun Manhas (9) were in the crease and Delhi now leads by 112 runs with five wickets in hand.
Earlier, resuming on their overnight score of 116 for nine, Gujarat tail wagged for a while, putting on another 29 runs before Amit Bhandari trapped A Majumdar (19) to claim his sixth wicket of the innings. A Makda was not out on 50.
After the hosts were skittled out for a paltry 69 on Saturday, Delhi put up a better show in the second innings putting on 79 when Shikhar Dhawan, their aggressive opener, fell to Trivedi after a 103-ball knock of 55 and the hosts received another setback when the bowler castled Mayank Tehlan (4), after another four runs were added to the tally.
Varun Kumar (17) and Aakash Chopra then steadied the ship but Delhi lost their third wicket when Majumdar got the better of Varun's defence. Makda then claimed the wicket of Pradeep Chawla (9) while Majumdar struck again, removing Rajat Bhatia (15) to leave Delhi reeling at 168 for five.
Veteran Mithun Manhas then joined Chopra in the middle and the duo saw the day through for the hosts.
Scorecard
Delhi 1st innings 69
Gujarat 1st innings 143
Delhi 2nd innings
S Dhawan c P Patel b Trivedi 55
A Chopra not out 70
M Tehlan b Trivedi 4
V Kumar b Majmudar 17
P Chawla b Makda 9
R Bhatia c PA Patel b Majmudar 15
M Manhas not out 9
Extras (b 4, lb 2, nb 1) 7
Total (5 wickets, 80 overs) 186
Fall of wickets: 1-79, 2-83, 3-107, 4-129, 5-168.
Bowling: Trivedi 22 9 30 2 (1nb), Makda 22 6 62 1, Majmudar 19 6 45 2, Watekar 10 4 23 0, Kalpesh Patel 7 1 20 0