Syed Mushtaq Ali T20: Suyash Sharma’s five wickets help Delhi win

Riding on young leg-spinner Suyash Sharma’s five-wicket haul, Delhi defeated Madhya Pradesh (MP) in a Group E match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament in Dehradun, on Tuesday.

Sharma, making his debut in the tournament, picked five for 13 in his four overs to restrict Madhya Pradesh to 115/9 in 20 overs.

The 20-year-old, who used to represent Madras Cricket Club in league cricket in Delhi, and shot to limelight thanks to his performance for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL), ran through the MP top and middle-order, picking five of the top seven wickets.

“He was playing after a while (Sharma last played competitive cricket in May during IPL) and did well. That, I thought, was very impressive,” said Delhi’s new head coach Devang Gandhi to Patriot.

“He bowled into the stumps and was extremely accurate against the batsmen. That is why he managed to get most of his victims bowled,” added Gandhi, a former India cricketer.

Sharma got three of his batsmen — including Rajat Patidar, who was an India ODI squad member recently — bowled, while one was out leg-before the wicket.

The remaining wicket came through a catch by Dev Lakra at cover.

India’s international medium-pace bowler Ishant Sharma took two for 29 in his four overs while another medium-pacer Harshit Rana, who was part of India Emerging team in Sri Lanka recently, scalped two for 22 in his quota of four overs.

Madhya Pradesh, who were reduced to 36/5 in the seventh over, were restricted to 115/9 in their 20 overs.

In response, Delhi managed to chase the target in 19.2 overs for the loss of just three wickets.

After an opening partnership of 47 runs in 6.2 overs, Delhi stuttered a bit losing both the openers and skipper Yash Dhull. The three fell within the space of five deliveries as the score was stuck on 47.

However, Ayush Badoni (44 not out) and Himmat Singh (27 not out) batted with composure and added unbeaten 62 for the fourth wicket to take Delhi home and avert a defeat.

Delhi’s first match against Uttar Pradesh on Monday was abandoned without a ball bowled.

Brief scores: Madhya Pradesh 115/9 in 20 overs (Rahul Batham 32, Suyash Sharma 5/13, Ishant Sharma 2/29, Harshit Rana 2/22) lost to Delhi 119/3 in 19.2 overs (Ayush Badoni 44 not out, Himmat Singh 27 not out, Kumar Kartikeya Singh 2/13)