Delhi opener shines with 135-run knock, former U-19 batter closer to maiden Duleep Trophy ton as North Zone pile runs on Day 1

SportsTak

Delhi batter Dhruv Shorey continued his purple patch as he scored 135 on the opening day of Duleep Trophy 2023 quarter-final for Jayant Yadav-led North Zone against North East Zone at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on June 28.
 

Ideal start, wickets thrown away
 

After winning the toss, North East Zone skipper Rongsen Jonathan wanted to take advantage of the weather conditions and opted to bowl first. The openers were cautious in the first hour of play as they put on 29 runs on the board in first 15 overs. They started scoring more freely after that. The first wicket came in the 24th over of the innings. Prashant Chopra tried to leave a delivery from Pheiroijam Jotin but was a tad bit late and played on. On the next delivery, Ankit Kalsi went chasing after a delivery outside off-stump and got out for a golden duck.
 

Prabhsimran attacks too much
 

After the first session, North Zone were 115/2 from 34 overs. Prabhsimran Singh was batting well having hit a four and a six. But he took too many risks and got caught for a 40-ball 31. Ankit Kumar did not look comfortable at the crease and fell for a single-digit score. 
 

Shorey, Sindhu put North Zone in control
 

At 162/4 in the second session, North Zone needed a partnership. Shorey and Nishant Sindhu did not take risks and dominated the proceedings. Shorey reached his century when Sindhu was still new to the crease. Left-arm spinner Kishan Singha broke the fifth-wicket partnership in the 67th over. Shorey scored 135 runs from 2111 balls including 22 fours. In the same over, Singha struck again as he trapped skipper Yadav in front of the crease. He got out for a two-ball duck.
 

Sindhu set for three figures
 

Sindhu found the perfect partner in Pulkit Narang with whom he shared an unbeaten 64-run partnership for the seventh wicket before the play was called off due to bad light. Sindhu's unbeaten 76 off 113 balls was laced with nine fours and two sixes. The 19-year-old will have a chance to score his maiden Duleep Trophy ton on Day 2 of the clash. 
 

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