Ludhiana: A superb 140 by Ashu Dani steered Delhi out of the woods as his team finished with a score of 405 for six on the third day of their North Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Punjab at the Punjab Agricultural University grounds here on Monday.

Resuming at 58 for no loss, Delhi were dealt two quick blows by Harbhajan Singh who dismissed Devender Sharma (28) and Akash Malhotra (0). Ajay Sharma joined Dani at this stage and hit two mighty sixes of Harbhajan Singh. The two added 116 runs for the third wicket before Ajay Sharma was brilliantly caught by substitute fielder Sandeep Sawal off Harbhajan Singh just before lunch for 36.

Ashu Dani, who was striking the ball beautifully made a number of fluent cuts and drives and completed his sixth century in the National championship and his second consecutive hundred. This is his 35th match. His knock of 140 contained 24 power packed hits which crossed the ropes. Left arm spinner Navdeep Singh, who was bowling a tight line and length, finally trapped Dani into giving him a return catch.

Despite losing six wickets, Delhi scored 347 runs from 90 overs bowled during the day. Virender Sehwag came down the order as he was running high fever but made some sweetly timed strokes to be on 96 not out at stumps. He hit eleven boundaries and three sixes. He faced only 108 balls and added 99 runs for the sixth wicket with Vijay Dahiya (42). Harhbahan Singh was the most successful bowler taking three wickets for 104. Navdeep Singh got two wickets for 100.

At close of play Delhi are trailing by 125 runs with four wickets in hand. But Virender Sehwag and Harinder Chaudhury (21) are at the crease and that should be some source of comfort for the visitors.

© CricInfo