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Pacer Sumit Narwal claimed five wickets as Delhi thrashed Gujarat by eight wickets to storm into the semi-finals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Visakhapatnam, on Wednesday.
Batting at No. 4, Gautam Gambhir made an useful contribution of 44 as Delhi cruised to 130 for two in 28.4 overs after Gujarat were bundled out for 126.
Delhi captain Rajat Bhatia opted to field on a two-paced wicket and seamer Narwal responded brilliantly with career-best figures of five for 21 in seven overs to skittle Gujarat for a lowly total.
In reply, Delhi knocked off the runs in only 28.4 overs with Gambhir remaining unbeaten on 44 from 67 deliveries, having hit six fours and a six. Mithun Manhas was forced to retired hurt on 23 while Unmukt Chand made 28.
The senior pro was supposed to bat at No 3 but was forced to come in at No. 4 due to different reason.
"Gautam was suppose to come in at No 3 as he didn't want to tinker with opening combination. But then he went to the toilet and a wicket fell at the same time and since there was a possibility of getting timed-out, Mithun Manhas, who was supposed to go in at No 4, was promoted up the order," a member of the Delhi squad said.
In the morning, the cracks and variable bounce on the 22-yard strip helped Delhi seamers Narwal and Parvinder Awana (2/32), who used the conditions to good effect.
Gujarat failed to build any major partnerships after openers Priyank Panchal (21) and skipper Parthiv Patel (18) were dismissed. The duo added 40 for the opening wicket.
Gujarat lost seven wickets for 49 runs and slipped from 77 for three in the 18th over to 126 all out.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat: 126 in 32 overs (Akshar Patel 30, Sumit Narwal 5/21, Parvinder Awana 2/32).
Delhi: 130/2 (Gautam Gambhir 44 no, Unmukt Chand 28, Mithun Manhas 23 retd). Delhi won by 8 wkts.
Result: Delhi won by 8 wickets