Gambhir scores 54, Viru 32 as Delhi shot out for 202

Delhi batsmen gave a poor account of themselves as they were shot out for a paltry 202 in their first innings against table toppers Karnataka in the crucial final group A league encounter at the Feroze Shah Kotla, here today.
Despite a blazing opening partnership of 51 runs in which Virender Sehwag, opening for the first time this season contributed 32, Delhi batsmen didn't show the required patience to stay on a slow wicket.
Scoring wasn't easy on the track where the odd ball was keeping low but most of the Delhi batsmen played bad shots to throw away their wickets. Skipper Gautam Gambhir (54) got set playing 111 deliveries before a poor shot selection brought about his downfall.

If one had expected rank turner, it wasn't the case as Karnataka pacers led by their skipper R Vinay Kumar (4/40 in 13 overs) and his new ball partner HS Sharath (3/58 in 19.4 overs) shared bulk of the spoils.
Leggie Shreyash Gopal accounted for two wickets while Ronit More got the prize scalp of Sehwag.
It was Sehwag, who started attacking from the onset as he took apart Vinay with some cracking strokes. There were a few square cuts, a flick towards deep mid-wicket boundary and an off drive.

Delhi reached 50 in nine overs as Gambhir played the role of second fiddle.

However, after hitting five boundaries en route his 32, Ronit, who replaced Vinay, got one onto his body and Sehwag defended awkwardly. The resultant lob was taken by the bowler himself. Once Sehwag departed, the momentum was lost.
Milind Kumar (2) playing his first match of the season played away from his body as he dragged a Vinay delivery back onto the stumps.
Mithun Manhas (12) started with a cover drive but was bowled by Vinay when he played forward to an incoming delivery which took the inside edge onto stumps.