Gambhir’s 95 guides Delhi into Ranji semis

Vijayawada, December 11 

The seasoned Gautam Gambhir struck a fine 95 and powered Delhi to the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy following a seven-wicket victory over Madhya Pradesh here today. Delhi will take on Bengal in their semifinal. Chasing 217 for an outright win, Delhi rode on Gambhir’s 129-ball 95, laced with nine boundaries and a six. The left-hander was run out as he approached what would have been a well-deserved century. The out-of-favour India opener was well-supported by Kunal Chandela (57) and Dhruv Shorey (46*).

Resuming at 8/0 in the morning, Delhi suffered an early blow when Vikas Tokas was sent back with the scoreboard reading just 11. A 98-run partnership for the second wicket between Gambhir and Chandela, however, put Delhi on victory course. 

Bengal, Vidarbha through

Meanwhile, in Jaipur,  Bengal rode on their 130-run first innings lead and centuries from Writtick Chatterjee (216) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (114) in the second innings to enter the semis even as the quarterfinal contest against Gujarat ended in a dull draw. At Surat, Vidarbha drubbed Kerala by a massive 412-run margin to enter the last-four.  — Agencies

Ranji Trophy quarterfinals

• Bengal: 354 & 695/6 (Writtick Chatterjee 216, Abhimanyu Easwaran 114); Gujarat: 224  
• Vidarbha:  246 & 507/9 decl; Kerala: 176 & 165 (Salman Nizar 64; Aditya Sarwate 6/41)  
• MP: 338 & 283; Delhi: 405 & 217/3 (Gautam Gambhir 95, Kunal Chandela 57, Dhruv Shorey 46*)