A fine century by opener Rajat Bhatia helped Delhi grab the first innings lead against Kerala and gain two crucial points to stay alive in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A on the fourth and final day of their match in New Delhi on Saturday.
Replying to Kerala's first innings total of 371, Delhi ended the match at 375 for six with Bhatia's 104, compiled in more than six hours with the help of six boundaries and a six, playing a pivotal role.
Delhi now has six points from as many matches and will take on Andhra Pradesh in an away match in the seventh and final round of the league stage.
Resuming at 108 for no loss, Delhi suffered an early setback when Gautam Gambhir departed for 78 after adding 17 runs to his overnight score. Gambhir was caught by C M Deepak off medium-pacer Prashant Chandran.
Vijay Dahiya joined Bhatia and the two took the team's total to 204 before Dahiya (36) was dismissed by veteran legspinner K N Ananthapadmanabhan.
Skipper Mithun Manhas then joined Bhatia and the duo added 51 runs for the third wicket. But Kerala succeeded in breaking the stand when Sreekumar Nair clean bowled Manhas (29).
The visitors soon picked up their fourth wicket when Deepak took a catch off fast bowler Sreeshanth to end Bhatia's 370 minute vigil at the crease.
But Kerala's hopes of capturing a few more wickets and restraining Delhi were belied as Ajay Jadeja (60) and Varun Kumar (30) steered them closer to the target.
Kerala (1st innings): 371
Delhi (1st innings):
G Gambhir c Deepak b Chandran 78
R Bhatia c Deepak b Sreeshanth 104
V Dahiya c Oasis b Ananthapadmanabhan 36
M Manhas b Sreekumar Nair 29
A Jadeja c Kudua b Chandran 60
V Kumar c Somasunder b Sreeshanth 30
Sarandeep Singh batting 14
A Bhandari batting 0
Extras: (b-1, lb-9, nb-6, w-8) 24
Total: (six wickets, 104.1 overs) 375
Fall of wickets: 1-137, 2-204, 3-255, 4-275, 5-347, 6-371
Bowling: Sreeshanth 31.1-4-117-2, P Chandran 26-2-97-2, Sreekumar Nair 21-4-57-1, S Oasis 10-0-38-0, Ananthapadmanabhan 10-0-39-1, Suresh Kumar 6-0-17-0
