Former champions Delhi stuck to their pre-match gameplan to weave a deserving eight wicket win over Tamil Nadu and progress to the Ranji Trophy Super League semifinals in Chennai on Friday.
Delhi had got three points by virtue of their first innings lead but the victory helped them top the group with 23 points. Saurashtra finished with the same tally but Delhi had a superior run quotient.
Resuming at 10 without loss chasing 105 for victory, Delhi lost opener Aakash Chopra for 16 when he was caught by Srinivasan off Suresh Kumar in the 16th over.
Captain Gautam Gambhir (40) also made an exit offering an easy catch to Yeo Mahesh off Suresh.
At that stage, Delhi required 41 runs to romp home and experienced Mithun Manhas, who remained unbeaten with 32 off just 21 balls with four boundaries, and Shikhar Dhawan (14 not out, two fours) got the required runs.
Scorecard:
Tamil Nadu (1st innings): 268
Delhi (1st innings): 338
Tamil Nadu (2nd innings): 164
Delhi (2nd innings):
A Chopra c Srinivasan b Suresh Kumar 16
G Gambhir c Yeo Mahesh b Suresh 40
S Dhawan not out 14
M Manhas not out 32
Extras: (nb-3) 3
Total: (2 wickets in 25.5 overs) 105
Fall of wickets: 1/42, 2/65
Bowling: Yeo Mahesh 7-1-23-0, P Amarnath 6-2-14-0, Suresh Kumar 6.5-0-38-1, C Suresh 6-1-30-1