JOIN USCaptain Shikhar Dhawan scored a superb 101 to help North Zone reach 251 for three against West Zone on the opening day of the four-day Duleep Trophy Quarterfinal cricket match here on Saturday.
On all counts the day belonged to a depleted North Zone, who are playing without the services of their India players, as opener Rahul Dewan, Sunny Singh and wicket-keeper batsman Nitin Saini batted with utmost caution like Dhawan after winning the toss.
Openers Rahul (65) and Shikhar played to their potentials and scored at over three runs an over at the MA Chidambaram stadium. The duo grew in confidence as the game wore on and put up their 100-run opening partnership without much ado.
But, soon after reaching the 150-mark in the 52nd over, Shikhar stepped out to drive Kamlesh but missed the ball to be stumped by ’keeper Parthiv Patel. His individual 101 off 179 balls, contained 15 hits to the fence and his stand with Rahul yielded 164 runs of 57.5 overs.
After sometime, Rahul, who was looking tired due to heat and humid conditions, also made his exit, offering a simple catch to Ajinkya Rahane of off-spinner Kamlesh Makwana. His 187-ball innings contained seven hits to the fence.