Ranji Trophy 2017: Gautam Gambhir takes Delhi to first semifinal in 8 years

Gautam Gambhir scored a fine 95 as Delhi booked their place in the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy. The seven-time champions defeated Madhya Pradesh in Vijaywada by 7 wickets. Gambhir's knock which came off just 129 balls ensured that Delhi chased down the 217 run target with plenty of overs to spare. 

It will be Delhi's first final-four appearance since the 2009-10 season.

Delhi began the day at 8/0 and lost Vikas Tokas (6) early. However, Gambhir and Kunal Chandela (57) put up a 98-run stand for the second wicket to set Delhi on  course for a win. Chandela fell to Mihir Hirwani but Dhruv Shorey (46 not out) joined Gambhir for another crucial stand of 95 runs. 

Gambhir fell short of his 42nd first class century after being run out. Nitish Rana and Shorey ensured there were no further hiccups to the chase.

Earlier, Manan Sharma picked up four wickets in the first innings to help Delhi bowl out MP for 338. Delhi then made 405 in their first innings thanks to fifties from Chandela, Himmat Singh and Shorey. 

MP made 283 in their second innings with Harpreet Singh scoring his second fifty of the match. 

Delhi now will go on to face either Bengal or Gujarat in the first semifinal of this year’s Ranji Trophy. The other semifinal will feature Kerala/Vidarbha against Karnataka.

Brief scores: Delhi 405 (Kunal Chandela 81, Dhruv Shorey 78, Himmat Singh 71; Mihir Hirwani 5-89) & 217-3 (Gautam Gambhir 95, Kunal Chandela 57, Dhruv Shorey 46*; Ishwar Pandey 1-18) beat Madhya Pradesh 338 (Harpeet Singh 107; Manan Sharma 4-46) & 283 (Harpreet Singh 78, Puneet Datey 60; Vikas Mishra 4-59, Vikas Tokas 3-64) by 7 wickets