Ranji Trophy: Gambhir, Shikhar to open for Delhi in do-or-die match

Ranji Trophy: Gambhir, Shikhar to open for Delhi in do-or-die match

Wayanad (Kerala): Veteran opener Gautam Gambhir and fit-again Shikhar Dhawan are set to open the innings for a bolstered Delhi side that is desperate to log home six points against Team Rajasthan in their sixth round Ranji Trophy group B encounter, here tomorrow.

Gambhir has been released by the Indian team while Dhawan, who has recovered from thumb fracture, will be eager to get back into action with his sights set on the ODI series in January.

"Gambhir and Dhawan will be opening the innings while Unmukt (Chand) will be batting at No 3. This is a do-or-die match for us. We need atleast two outright wins from our next three matches if we have to have any chance of qualifying for the knock-out phase. I am keeping my fingers crossed," chief coach KP Bhaskar told PTI today.

Delhi's main problems have been their spin department with both Varun Sood and Manan Sharma being left-arm spinners without much variation and ineffective when there is no assistance from the track.

Asked about the paucity of spinners, Bhaskar said:"Varun and Manan are the best we have. We have an off-spinner Pulkit Narang, that we have kept in the 13 for the match. But he is still very inexperienced. Out of the squad of 15, we have kept Sarthak Ranjan and Dhruv Shorey out."