Delhi take charge in Merchant semifinal

Delhi took a strong grip over their Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy semifinal against Hyderabad at the Calcutta Cricket & Football Club ground on Tuesday.

After inserting their opponents into bat, Delhi dismissed Hyderabad for 139 in all of 85.3 overs. Openers Pritpal Singh and Shikar Dhawan proceeded to complete a satisfying day for Delhi, knocking off 58 without being separated, before stumps were drawn.

Hyderabad lost opener Prasant Peter in the second over of the match after which Imran Khan and skipper Ambati Rayudu added 47 for the second wicket. The last nine wickets plunged for just 92 runs with Sumit Kapoor doing most of the damage, claiming figures of 6/34. Khan's 29 was the top score.

Hyderabad used seven bowlers in the 25 overs they hurled down, but with scant success. At close of play, Pritpal was batting on 35 (80 balls, 6 fours) and Dhawan on 22 (70 balls, 3 fours).