With a thumping 112-run win over India Red, Delhi booked themselves a place in the final of the NKP Salve Trophy, against India Blue. A timely century by Unmukt Chand helped set up the game in Delhi’s favour, after being invited to bat first at the Holkar Cricket Stadium. Varun Sood and Ashish Nehra then skittled the opposition out for 230 with over nine overs to spare.

Earlier, Delhi lost opener Gautam Gambhir early in the innings, but Chand and Virat Kohli added 93 runs for the second wicket. Shahbaz Nadeem had Kohli stumped for 63 to end the partnership. He then dismantled Virender Sehwag’s stumps in his next over. But Milind Kumar who then joined Chand in the middle provided able support with a 52-ball 57, before being sent back by Umesh Yadav.

With the team comfortably perched on 288 for four, Rajat Bhatia came out to bat and launched a late onslaught against India Red. Although Chand was bowled for 119 by Abhimanyu Mithun, Bhatia hammered 40 off 19 balls, to help Delhi to 342 at the end of their 50 overs.

Chasing the stiff target, barring opener Abhinav Mukand the rest of the top order succumbed to the Delhi attack. Nehra and Sood kept striking at regular intervals, never allowing the opposition any opportunity to revive their innings. While Mukund made 64, lower down the order Gurkeerat Singh Mann made a quick-fire 83 off 51 balls. But it was in vain as his team was bundled out for 230.

Brief scores: Delhi342/6 in 50 overs (U Chand 119, V Kohli 63, M Kumar 57, A Mithun 3/81) beatIndia Red 230 all-out in 40.1 overs (Gurkeerat Singh 83, A Mukund 64, V Sood 5/84, A Nehra 4/38) by 112 runs