When Delhi arrived to bowl after lunch on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy fixture against Himchal Pradesh, the 430-run total and fifties for six of the top seven of their batting order would have instilled plenty of confidence.

At close of play with Himachal’s top order looking steady and patient, leaving them at 165/3 despite a late dropoff, the home side may be regretting losing their last six wickets for just 124 runs in the opening session here on Sunday.

Key to the visitors’ minor fightback and show of strength at the Feroz Shah Kotla grounds was a succesful homecoming for their unheralded opener Sidhant Purohit. The Delhi boy, brought up in the age group system in Himachal, scored a measured 165-ball 70 which acted as the fulcrum of his side’s effort on Sunday; one that inspired some

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