Related Links : Irani Trophy 2008/09 : Delhi Vs Rest of India at Vadodara Scorecard
Rest of India clinched the 46th edition of the Zal Irani Trophy by beating last year Ranji Champions Delhi by 187 runs at Baroda. Rest of India got into a great position to win the match when they had their opponents reduced to 113 for 3 after giving a target of 378. On the fourth day, things panned out very well for the Indian Cricket Team overall with Gautam Gambhir playing a fine innings and the spin twins Kumble and Harbhajan finding their rhythm ahead of the big series against Australia.
Delhi provided a surprise this morning by sending Aakash Chopra to walk in with the overnight unbeaten batsman Gautam Gambhir. Aakash Chopra was actually not expected to bat at all after his ankle injury yesterday. But he did come out to bat along with a runner. A lot was expected from him to get Delhi back in the match as it wasn’t that long ago when he had changed a pathetic situation into a winning one for his team in the Mohammad Nissar Trophy match through a double century in the third innings. However, Chopra’s show was for just the one ball as he attempted an expansive drive which only crashed back off the inside edge onto the stumps. The lucky bowler was Zaheer, who picked another first ball wicket in this game.
There wasn’t any fight coming from the remaining batsmen which left Gautam Gambhir all alone in the centre. Gambhir made best use of the strike whenever possible to almost get to a hundred. But he too had to depart eventually when he had edged his attempted cut shot off Kumble to the wicket keeper. The southpaw scored his 91 runs in 176 balls with the help of a dozen boundaries. By lunch, Rest of India had wrapped up the match with Delhi folding to 190 in 60.5 overs. Zaheer (12-0-47-3), Kumble (11-4-19-3) and Harbhajan (14.5-4-31-4) were at their best in this innings.
Sehwag registers a complaint against Munaf
Virender Sehwag, the Delhi Captain had officially complained about Munaf Patel to the Match Referee following a spat that happened on Day 2. Interestingly, the spat that had occurred had changed the complexion of the game with Munaf becoming very aggressive to rip through the Delhi line-up. The spat had happened when Munaf was allegedly sledging Aakash Chopra during his first over which didn’t go well with Sehwag, who was heard saying ‘Munaf tameez sey rehna’ (Munaf behave yourself). There was a lot of speculation yesterday evening when Virender Sehwag left the match to travel back to Delhi once he had no further role to play. Media had reported that he was upset about certain things but it was later confirmed that he was suffering from Migraine.