“We have been here for three days, trying to get used to the cold. It was Vignesh who told everyone that we should cover our ears and wear woolen caps. He asked the team management to bring a white cap so that it does not collide with the red ball.
Vignesh started the day wearing a skull cap and started hitting the length right from the start. He dismissed Anuj Rawat and skipper Yash Dhull for 3 and a duck respectively in the third over of the day.
(Tamil Nadu fast bowler L Vignesh wearing a cap – PTI photo)
It helped that Dhull was given a poor decision by the umpire, caught behind. Delhi’s most experienced and in-form batsman Dhruv Shorey came to revive the innings.
The weather may have facilitated some movement but the pitch at Kotla was not exactly a monster. While Shorey and Jonty Sidhu were getting things back on track, Warrier resorted to the short-pitched plan. It worked as he broke the 105-run third wicket stand by having Jonty caught behind while ducking for 57. He soon caught and bowled Vaibhav Raval.
Dense fog in Delhi, many Tamil Nadu players wearing monkey caps #RanjiTrophy #DELvTN https://t.co/Cx1ErP5SVr
– Rezant. (@Cric_Resanth) 1672115547000
Vignesh delivered a brilliant punch, dismissing Shorey for 66, as Delhi crumbled to 154/5. last session when Lalit Yadav And Himmat Singh was solid again, with Warrier delivering a sharp in-dipper to knock Himmat (25) onto the off stump.
“We had decided that we will implement the short-ball strategy throughout the season. We realized that last season we fell behind by not trying. It worked. When I was bowling to Guts in the last season, I was tired and switched to the full ball,” explained Warrier.
Tamil Nadu will hope to get rid of the dangerous Lalit, who is batting on 33, soon to take charge on the second day.
