The most riveting days of cricket in the Ranji Trophy are those where the contest keeps oscillating like a pendulum among the two teams. The second day of the Elite Group-C clash between Delhi and Services at the Airforce Complex Ground in Palam was very much like that, but Ayush Doseja (78, 154b, 6x4) and Sumit Mathur (80 n.o. 159b, 8x4, 2x6) ensured that the host had its nose in front by the end.

The sixth-wicket partnership between the two left-handers was worth 144 runs as Delhi reached 299 for six at close of play on Tuesday. Ayush Badoni & Co. are 33 runs in the green after bundling out Services for 266 on the opening day.

Since entering the set-up, Doseja and Mathur have displayed a propensity for consistency with the bat. Here too, they were desperately needed after the side was reduced to 135 for five in 39.2 overs.

Both batters did enjoy some luck. Mathur was dropped on nought by Pulkit Narang at gully off 21-year-old pacer Jayant Goyat. Doseja was on 42 when Narang created a chance with his off-spin, but Ravi Chauhan spilled the catch at short-leg.

But it wouldn’t have mattered as much if Doseja and Mathur hadn’t capitalised in the manner that they did. Having done the hard work, Doseja would have certainly liked to catch further attention with a three-figure score, but Virender Nepal had the No. 5 batter caught down the leg side in the 87th over.

For Services, the breakthroughs were spread among four bowlers. Left-arm tweaker Arjun Sharma got the well-set Priyansh Arya (58, 88b, 1x4, 3x6) to hole out at long-off.

Badoni, who had hit double tons in his last two games, was castled by the spinner whilst attempting a slog sweep. Goyat also struck twice even as Narang and Virender snared a wicket each.

The scores: Services — 1st innings: 266.

Delhi — 1st innings: Priyansh Arya c Goyat b Arjun 58, Sanat Sangwan c Paliwal b Narang 11, Yash Dhull b Goyat 33, Ayush Badoni b Arjun 7, Ayush Doseja c Nakul b Virender 78, Anuj Rawat b Goyat 0, Sumit Mathur (batting) 80, Dev Lakra (batting) 11; Extras (b-10, lb-9, nb-2): 21; Total (for six wkts. in 90 overs): 299

Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-114, 3-114, 4-134, 5-135, 6-279.

Services bowling: Narang 25-3-72-1, Virender 16-0-50-1, Goyat 16-2-51-2, Arjun 16-2-48-2, Tanwar 12-1-32-0, Chauhan 2-0-7-0, Dhankhar 3-1-20-0.