Haryana extend lead over Delhi to 250

Hosts Haryana are in an advantageous position against Delhi, having ensured three points after the first innings lead and then extending it to 250 at stumps on the penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy group league match at the Bansi Lal stadium in Rohtak, on Monday.

Haryana got the vital first innings lead after Delhi were dismissed for 224, in reply to their first innings total of 307.

The hosts then built upon the 83-run lead to finish the day on 167 for six, courtesy a fine half century by skipper Amit Mishra.

The India discard is unbeaten on 50, off 62 balls, including four boundaries and a big six. He added 58 runs for the seventh wicket with Jayant Yadav.

Left-arm spinner Vikas Mishra was the most successful Delhi bowler in the second innings, with three for 57.

All-rounder Sumit Narwal bagged two for 15 with his seamers.

As things stand, if Haryana last till lunch, Delhi will then have to settle for a draw and try to play for a point.

Earlier, Delhi started the day with overnight not out batsman Unmukt Chand and veteran Mithun Manhas, who had retired hurt on 20 on Sunday. However, Unmukt could only add seven runs to his overnight score of 76 as he nicked one from medium pacer Ashish Hooda to glovesman Nitin Saini.

Unmukt's 83 came off 152 balls, with nine fours and two sixes.

Delhi were 186 for 7 at that stage and the dream of getting three points was as good as over.

Veteran Manhas scored his 39th half-century in first-class cricket but had very little support from the other end. He was the last man out, caught by Abhimanyu Khod, to become medium pacer Mohit Sharma's third victim. Sharma and Harshal Patel ended with three wickets each.

Brief scores: Haryana 307 & 167-6 (Amit Mishra batting 50, Vikas Mishra 3-57, Sumit Narwal 2-15).

Delhi 224 all out in 76.1 overs (Unmukt Chand 83, Mithun Manhas 53, Mohit Sharma 3-35, Harshal Patel 3-55).