Ranji Trophy: Lalit Yadav hundred helps Delhi grab Day 2 honours

Ranji Trophy clash in Guwahati belonged to Yash Dhull, the second day was owned by Lalit Yadav (177, 17x4, 10x6). The Delhi No. 7 batsman, who scored his maiden First-Class hundred, helped Delhi finish on 452 in the first innings on Friday.

Tamil Nadu, in reply, were 75 for 2 at stumps. Lalit, who began the day at his overnight score of 45, raised his half-century with a maximum over mid-wicket region off medium-pacer M Mohammed. Despite losing Simarjeet Singh (19, 3x4) early in the day, Lalit showed no signs of his tempo dipping.

Each time the Tamil Nadu bowlers erred in their lines, Lalit was more than happy to cash in. In the company of No. 10 Vikas Mishra (7), Lalit stitched a 92-run stand for the 9th wicket that took Delhi's total closer to the 400-run mark.

Lalit crossed the three-figure mark during the course of this partnership. Lalit hopped from 89 to 101 in the space of two deliveries --- smashing back-to-back sixes of left-arm spinner Sai Kishore --- first over long-on region and the second sailing past the long-off fence. The departure of Vikas with Delhi's total reading 393-9 didn't deter Lalit one bit.

He added 59 for the last wicket with Kuldip Yadav (9 n.o.) before being caught at slips by Indrajith off Sai Kishore. For Tamil Nadu, Mohammed (4-75) was the leading wicket-taker. Tamil Nadu lost opener L Suryaprakash (23) and Baba Aparajith (0) in quick succession.

Kaushik Gandhi (37 batting) and Sai Kishore (11 batting) were in the middle at close of play. Scoreboard: Delhi 1st innings (O/n 291-7): Lalit Yadav c Indrajith b Sai Kishore 177, Simarjeet Singh b Mohammed 19, Vikas Mishra lbw b Mohammed 7, Kuldip Yadav n.o. 9; Extras (b5, lb1, nb2, w4) 12; Total (All out in 141.2 overs): 452; FoW: 1-7, 2-7,