Gambhir, Sehwag finally find form as Delhi down Haryana

India discards Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag finally got back among the runs as the duo struck fluent half-centuries to help Delhi outclass Haryana by three wickets in the North Zone leg of the Vijay Hazare One Day Tournament, in Dharamsala, on Wednesday.

Sehwag blazed a quickfire 80 from 68 balls, while captain Gambhir hit 93 as Delhi cruised to 251 for seven in 42.1 overs despite a few late wickets in reply to Haryana's 247.

The two veterans put on 144 runs for the third wicket to rally Delhi after they were reduced to 11 for two in the seventh over after a couple of early wickets. Opener Unmukt Chand (3) and Milind Kumar (1) were both dismissed by Joginder Sharma, who registered impressive figures of four for 27 in 10 overs.

Sehwag, who had scored 11, 0 and 11 in his previous three innings, dropped himself to No. 4 and the move paid off handsomely for Delhi. The 36-year-old went on the attack right from the start and got good support from Gambhir at the other end.

Sehwag smashed a total of eight boundaries and three sixes in his 68-ball knock, while Gambhir hit 11 fours in his 97-ball knock.

Gambhir's dismissal in the 36th over saw Delhi lose four wickets for 26 runs in the space of 24 deliveries but veteran Mithun Manhas guided his team home with an unbeaten innings of 31 from 44 balls.

Gambhir was unlucky to miss his century as he was bowled by Mohit Sharma for 93 before Kuldeep Hooda scalped Sumit Narwal for eight. Joginder then dismissed Punit Bisht (6) and Ashish Nehra (0) in the 40th over to give Haryana some hopes but Manhas and Rajat Bhatia (2 not out) carried them home.

Earlier, Haryana lost their way after a good start before Rana's spirited innings of 71 helped them to a competitive 247 in their 50 overs.

Abhimanyu Khod (28) and Avi Barot (49) laid the foundation with a 65-run opening stand before Vikas Tokas made the breakthrough by dismissing the former and Bhatia accounted for Barot.

Medium pacer Tokas was Delhi's most successful bowler as he claimed four for 41, while Nehra and Parvinder Awana picked up two wickets each.

Joseph's six sends Mumbai crashing

Maharashtra pacer Dominic Joseph sent heavyweights Mumbai crashing by six wickets in a West Zone leg match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Ahmedabad, on Wednesday.

He claimed six wickets for 25 in 8.2 overs as Mumbai, batting first, were dismissed for 211 in 44.2 overs.

Wasim Jaffer top-scored with 84 while Akhil Herwadkar (44) and Suryakumar Yadav (40) were the other notable contributors for Mumbai.

In reply, Maharashtra knocked off the runs in 48 overs, with Ankit Bawne (78 not out) anchoring the chase and Rohit Motwani contributing to the winning cause with 59 runs on a good batting wicket.

Sangram Atitkar (32) also did his bit as Maharashtra didn't have any problems chasing the target, losing only four wickets.

Seamer Joseph was Maharashtra’s hero as Mumbai lost eight wickets for 100 runs from a relatively comfortable position of 111 for two.

Jaffar and Herwad kar added 79 runs for the second wicket which by far was the best partnership of the innings.

Jaffer hit seven fours and three sixes in his 99-ball knock. It was Surya’s lusty hitting that got Mumbai past 200. He scored 40 off 25 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes.

Brief scores:

Mumbai: 211 in 44.2 overs (Wasim Jaffer 84, Dominic Joseph 6-25).

Maharashtra: 214-4 in 48 overs (Ankit Bawne 78 no, Rohit Motwani 59). Maharashtra won by 6 wickets.

Image: Virender Sehwag