Manan Sharma Ruled Out Of Ongoing Ranji Trophy Final; Gautam Gambhir Suffers Issue In Thumb

Delhi all-rounder, Manan Sharma has been ruled out of the ongoing Ranji Trophy final between Delhi and Vidarbha. Manan injured himself while fielding on the second day of the play, which has ruled him out of the contest. He has suffered an injury to his knee.

He did not bowl on day 2 of the game, which raised few questions and later, it was confirmed that the injury was the reason behind Manan not bowling in the game despite being present on the field.

It has come out as a big blow for Delhi, who have already conceded the first-innings lead and in fact, Vidarbha posses a big lead of 233 runs over Delhi as well. Delhi’s frontline spin bowler, Vikas Mishra hasn’t got any breakthrough for Delhi and Manan could have done the job for the team.

At the start of day three though, Delhi made few early inroads but soon, the pair of Aditya Sarwate and Akshay Wadkar fixed their eyes on the crease and shared 169 runs for the seventh wicket. Delhi could just scalp three wickets on day three and only a miracle can help Rishab Pant led side now.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Delhi skipper, too is suffering from an issue. He is suffering from thumb issue and walked out of the field after the Lunch break on day three. As a result of being absent from the field, he could be barred from opening the innings, as per the rules. Though if he takes the field on day four and Vidarbha bat out full one session, then Gambhir would be allowed to open the innings.

Navdeep Saini, Delhi’s strike bowler, too has pulled off a hamstring. Though he bowled on day three but might not bowl on day four.

At present, Vidarbha holds a lead of 233 runs (at the end of day three) and the Faiz Fazal led side is expected to win their maiden Ranji Trophy title, either on the basis of a first-innings lead or by defeating Delhi.