A gallant unbeaten 136 by Mithun Minhas helped Delhi to post a reasonable total of 256 on the opening day of their North Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Services at the Ferozeshah Kotla grounds in New Delhi on Monday.

Put in to bat, Delhi lost three wickets for 31 before a fourth wicket partnership of 52 runs off 11.1 overs between Minhas and Virender Sehwag (29) enabled them to make a recovery of sorts. Then after six wickets had fallen for 165, Manhas and skipper Rahul Sanghvi (17) added 72 runs off 18.2 overs. While wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, Manhas came in unconquered. He batted 4-1/2 hours, faced 197 balls and hit 14 fours and two sixes. Arun Sharma was the most successful bowler with four for 45. At close, Services were 24 for one.

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