After centurion Himmat Singh ran himself out and left Delhi’s last-wicket pair of Harshit Rana and debutant Divij Mehra staring on the problem of scoring 37 runs for the primary innings lead, Andhra appeared nicely poised to realize three factors from this Group B Ranji Trophy encounter.

However what adopted on the Arun Jaitley floor was sensational.

A strong counter-attack from Rana (33 not out, 46b, 4×4, 1×6) and Mehra (32 not out, 38b, 6×4) produced 65 runs off 77 deliveries.

Properly after the pair helped Delhi overhaul Andhra’s first innings tally of 459 for 9 declared, the host declared at 488 for 9, 28 minutes from the scheduled tea-interval. In the course of the superior tea break, the groups noticed the futility of constant the sport and the umpires known as off the proceedings.

On account of the draw, Delhi (5 factors) gained three factors for taking a 29-run result in stay seventh within the eight-team Group B. Andhra (13) added one level to retain its fourth place.

Each the groups are out of reckoning for the 2 qualifying spots from the group, for the knockout part. With two rounds to go, Saurashtra (26 factors) and Mumbai (23) are the favourites to advance.

With Delhi opening a four-point lead over last-placed Hyderabad (1), its last-round conflict may resolve which workforce suffers the ignominy of relegation to subsequent season’s Group C.

The engrossing remaining day noticed in a single day not-out Dhruv Shorey transfer from 142 to 185 however missed his second double century of the season when he stumped after being foxed by left-arm spinner Lalith Mohan.

Although the stand yielded 156 runs, Delhi was nonetheless 103 runs behind..

Lakshay Thareja and Himmat cautiously added 40 runs earlier than Nitish Reddy struck on the stroke of lunch.

On resumption, a lot relied on how the tailenders supported Himmat however Andhra quickly gained the higher hand as soon as Pranshu Vijayran and Yogesh Sharma fell inside three runs.

Thereafter, Himmat, whose 204-ball innings was dotted with 10 fours and three sixes, reached his maiden century – following 9 different 50-plus scores – in Ranji Trophy.

Himmat’s run-out following a reverse sweep meant Delhi misplaced 4 wickets inside 17 runs. However the final pair undid the harm.