Mayank Tehlan hit a disciplined, unbeaten century to help Delhi secure the first innings lead against group leaders Baroda in the Ranji Trophy Super League Group 'A' cricket match in Delhi on Sunday.
Replying to Baroda's score of 244, Delhi made an emphatic response, reaching 256 for 3 at close on the second day, courtesy Tehlan's unconquered 108 and a fluent half-century by skipper Mithun Manhas.
Tehlan, nephew of swashbuckling India opener Virender Sehwag, showed patience and concentration during his knock that has consumed 219 balls and included 15 boundaries so far.
The right-hander, who scored a century on debut last season but has seen a run of poor scores since then, reached the three-figure mark with a boundary through the off-side region off Yusuf Pathan.
En route to gaining his second first-class century, Tehlan compiled a 135-run stand for the third wicket with skipper Manhas (70) as the home side pressed on the advantage against a far from threatening attack.
Virat Kohli, on 11, was the other not out batsman at the crease when play ended early due to bad light with 12 overs still to be bowled.
Following the early loss of opener Aakash Chopra, Delhi recovered superbly through the Tehlan-Manhas alliance, that saw them gain a position of strength and force a outright win with two days still to go.
With the exception of left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar, who claimed two wickets, the Baroda attack failed to make any sort of impression on a wicket that had nothing for the bowlers.
Tehlan, who also put on 55 runs for the second wicket with left-handed opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan (40), thus managed to put a series of indifferent scores behind him.
After carefully negotiating the initial moments, both Tehlan and Manhas shifted the momentum with some fine batting as they not only steadied the ship but also scored at a brisk rate, rattling 108 runs in the afternoon session.
Scorecard
Baroda, 1st innings: 244
Delhi, 1st innings:
Aakash Chopra c Shah b I Pathan (Sr) 9
Shikhar Dhawan c Y Pathan b Pawar 40
Mayank Tehlan batting 108
Mithun Manhas c sub b Pawar 70
Virat Kohli batting 11
Extras (8nb, 8b, 2lb) 18
Total (for 3 wkts, in 80 overs, 343 mins) 256
Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-77, 3-212.
Bowling: Rakesh Patel 22-2-79-0, Irfan Pathan (Sr) 17-4-30-1, Ketan Panchal 7-1-23-0, Rajesh Pawar 25-6-61-2,
Yusuf Pathan 8-0-48-0, Ajit Bhoite 1-0-5-0.