Sumit Mathur was more relieved than jubilant after scoring his maiden first-class century that revived Delhi from 182 for 6 to reach 454 in their first innings against Assam on Day 3 at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.
After reaching the milestone, Mathur, playing only his second match, folded his hands, thanked the heavens, and bowed to the Delhi dressing room. It was a subdued celebration from the all-rounder, who was overlooked by the Delhi selectors for the first two games against Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu, despite a nine-wicket haul in Delhi’s last match of the 2023-24 season against Odisha, which they won by seven wickets.
“God gives some people chances early and some late, but if you work diligently, He will definitely give you the opportunity. It is with this belief that I play my cricket,” he added. “You have to keep your head down and continue working hard, regardless of whether you get a chance or not,” he said after the match.
Mathur forged a crucial 99-run partnership with Harshit Rana, who, after taking five wickets with the ball, scored a brisk 59. Rana targeted the spinners and struck three sixes, raising Delhi’s hope for a first-innings lead. The match shifted in Delhi’s favour during the 166-run stand for the eighth wicket between Mathur and Siddhant Sharma. Mathur played the supporting role while Sharma, like Rana, aggressively took on the Assam bowlers.
“Our plan was to cover the deficit at the start of the day. My mindset was always to take the lead, and I was playing accordingly,” Mathur stated. “When Harshit was at the crease, he is a stroke player, so I didn’t feel pressured. I took my time and played my natural game. Once Siddhant came in, he also played positively, but I ensured that I took the attack,” he added.
Sharma’s journey mirrors Mathur’s. The left-arm seamer’s last outing in the previous season was against Himachal Pradesh, where he nabbed seven wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings, and scored a valuable 36 at No. 9, helping Delhi win by 76 runs. He too was left in the lurch by the selectors for the first two fixtures.
On Monday, Sharma scored a chanceless 89 and was on track for his maiden century when a cross-batted shot ended his free-flowing innings.
“It was a case of nervous nineties. There was a tea break as well. I just needed to get past those 10-odd minutes, but never mind,” Sharma reflected. “I am not satisfied. First because I missed a hundred. And we are yet to win this match. We have to win outright to ensure we are in a good position in the points table.”
Hostile Delhi Attack
Delhi’s pacers came out firing in the last hour-and-half of play. Harshit continued his rollercoaster performance with a wicket, dismissing Rishav Das to break the opening stand. Money Grewal, who shared the new ball with Rana, was equally impressive, pinning Abhishek Thakuri for 9.
The most aggressive of the Delhi pacers was Himanshu Chauhan. He bowled just three overs but left Assam’s batting line-up bruised. A nip-backer hit Assam captain Denish Das in the abdomen, forcing him to leave the field. Though he declined the stretcher, he fell to his knees after crossing the boundary line and was later taken to the hospital in an ambulance. It remains uncertain whether he will bat again on the final day, although the Assam camp is hopeful.
As the light began to fade, Delhi captain Himmat Singh turned to Jonty Sidhu, who trapped opener Shubham Mandal, leaving the visitors reeling at 44 for 3 at the end of the day’s play.
Brief Scores of Delhi vs Assam:
Assam: 330 & 44 for 3 in 15 overs (Harshit Rana 1/17, Money Grewal 1/15)
Delhi: 454 all out in 122.5 overs (Sumit Mathur 112, Siddhant Sharma 89, Harshit Rana 59; Rahul Singh 4/108, Sarupam Purkayastha 3/98)
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