Half-centuries from India opener Shikhar Dhawan and Himmat Singh went in vain as Delhi on Tuesday (October 8) lost to Uttar Pradesh by five wickets in Vadodara in the elite group encounter of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. 

Dhawan struck a 74-ball 54, while Himmat made a 77-ball 64 but the rest of the Delhi batting line-up struggled badly as the team managed a total of only 204/8 in its allotted 50 overs with the bat. 

Mohsin Khan (3/49) and Ankit Rajpoot (2/45) were the pick of the bowlers for UP. Even Saurabh Kumar (1/33) and Rinku Singh (1/21) delivered miserly spells. 

In the run-chase, UP openers Aryan Juyal (17) and Samarth Singh (2) got out cheaply but the middle-order came to the party with Priyam Garg (79) and Upendra Yadav (57) making valiant half-centuries. Rinku Singh remained unbeaten on 22 as the team ramped home in only 29 overs. 

Navdeep Saini (2/48), Pawan Negi (1/32) did scalp a few breakthroughs but it was always an uphill task for the Delhi bowlers.

A comprehensive victory for UP saw the team gain crucial two points to consolidate its position at the top of the elite group points table where Delhi is now languishing in the bottom half after six games.  

Brief scores: 

Delhi 204/8 in 50 overs (Himmat Singh 64; Mohsin Khan 3/49) lost to Uttar Pradesh 207/5 in 29 overs (Priyam Garg 79; Navdeep Saini 2/48) by five wickets.