Ignored in the first two games, all-rounder Sumit Mathur showed his prowess with a patient century to put Delhi in sight of an outright victory against Assam on the third day of a Group D Ranji Trophy match here on Monday.
Starting the day at an uncomfortable 214 for 6 in reply to Assam's 330, left-handed Mathur (112 off 230 balls) first added 99 for the seventh wicket with India's new pace bowling find Harshit Rana (59 off 78 balls) and then another 166 for the eighth wicket with Siddhanth Sharma (89 off 128 balls) to take the first innings score to 454.
The last four wickets added 272 runs. Buoyed by a handy lead of 124 runs and three points ensured, Delhi pacers Harshit and Money Grewal bowled briskly to reduce Assam to 44 for 3 in the second innings.
Even if Assam bat well enough to surpass Delhi's score, the home team would expect that they keep the target to a minimum and has enough time on the final day to eke out a result.