Ayush Pandey's Masterful 161* Puts Chhattisgarh in Control Against Delhi
Raipur witnessed a batting masterclass on Friday as Ayush Pandey's unbeaten 161 guided Chhattisgarh to a dominant position against Delhi on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy Elite match at the BCCI COE Ground 2. At stumps, Chhattisgarh reached an imposing total of 351 for 2 in 102 overs, establishing a substantial first-innings lead of 135 runs with eight wickets still in hand.
Solid Opening Partnership Sets the Tone
Chhattisgarh openers provided a steady and confident start to the day, capitalising brilliantly on the momentum after Delhi were bundled out for 216 in their first innings. Ayush Pandey and A G Tiwary stitched together a massive 212-run partnership for the first wicket, frustrating the Delhi bowling attack for over 64 overs. Tiwary played a solid and composed knock of 108, which included 14 elegant boundaries, before being trapped leg-before by Divij Mehra.
Delhi Bowlers Struggle on Batting-Friendly Pitch
The Delhi bowlers struggled immensely to find breakthroughs on a pitch that appeared to increasingly favour the batters as the game progressed. Divij Mehra and skipper Ayush Badoni claimed one wicket each, but the other primary bowlers remained wicketless throughout the day, highlighting the challenging conditions and Chhattisgarh's batting resilience.
Earlier: Delhi's Innings Rescued by Ayush Doseja's Century
Earlier in the match, Delhi's first innings was rescued by a fighting and determined century from Ayush Doseja, who remained stranded on 104 not out. The rest of the Delhi batting line-up collapsed against a disciplined and strategic Chhattisgarh attack, setting the stage for Chhattisgarh's strong reply.
Chhattisgarh will now look to further extend their lead on Saturday morning, aiming to put Delhi under significant pressure in the second innings and secure a commanding position in this crucial Ranji Trophy encounter.
