Opener Sidhant Purohit's knock of 70 led Himachal Pradesh's reply to Delhi's first-innings total of 430 on the second day of their Elite Group-D Ranji Trophy duel at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. On a slow-moving Sunday, the 27-year-old Purohit, featuring in just his second First Class game, accumulated his runs with poise. But just as the shadows lengthened and the close of play approached, Purohit's hard work was undone.

In the 51st over of Himachal's innings, Navdeep Saini landed the red SG ball on the right spot for it to breach Purohit's defence and send the stumps cartwheeling. Having induced the left-handed Ankit Kalsi's edge to gully a few overs earlier, Saini ensured there was very little to separate the teams at the end of day two. At stumps, the visitor was 165 for three.

Saini's breakthroughs were due reward for his gut-busting effort. He may be turning 33 next month, but the speedster, who played two Tests for India in 2021, is eager to continue charging in and delivering long spells in First Class cricket.

"I have always loved bowling in this format. These days, the reality is that those who do well in the IPL play at the higher levels. But I don't want to save myself for any other tournament. My approach is to put all my effort all the time," Saini told reporters.

Purohit, who had been dismissed for a duck on his debut last week, wasn't the only Himachal batter to squander a start. Skipper Ankush Bains made 43 in an opening stand of 86 before being cleaned up by left-arm spinner Sumit Mathur.

In the day's opening session, Delhi, which resumed on 306 for four, was able to add only 124 runs for the loss of six wickets. While Ayush Doseja was dismissed on 75, Sumit Mathur and Anuj Rawat contributed 51 and 57 respectively.

The scores: Delhi -- 1st innings: Arpit Rana c Bains b Divesh 64, Sanat Sangwan c Bains b Divesh 79, Yash Dhull c Bains b Guleria 61, Badoni c Kalsi b Arora 15, Ayush Doseja c Dagar b Arora 75, Sumit Mathur c Bains b Arora 51, Anuj Rawat c Bains b Arora 57, Siddhant Sharma c Sen b Guleria 17, Navdeep Saini b Guleria 0, Rounak Waghela c Arora b Guleria 4, Money Grewal (not out) 1; Extras (w-2, lb-4): 6; Total (in 116 overs): 430.

Fall of wickets: 1-103, 2-196, 3-218, 4-235, 5-342, 6-361, 7-406, 8-408, 9-428.

Himachal bowling: Arora 24-5-78-4, Guleria 27-3-106-4, Divesh 21-4-62-2, Negi 24-0-97-0, Dagar 17-0-69-0, Vashisht 3-0-14-0.

Himachal -- 1st innings: Sidhant Purohit b Saini 70, Ankush Bains b Mathur 43, Ankit Kalsi c Sangwan b Saini 20, Pukhraj Mann (batting) 17, Ekant Sen (batting) 4; Extras (b-4, lb-7): 11; Total (for three wickets. in 55 overs): 165.

Fall of wickets: 1-86, 2-133, 3-152.

Delhi bowling: Siddhant 3-0-11-0, Grewal 9-1-27-0, Saini 9-2-20-2, Waghela 11-2-28-0, Badoni 11-1-43-0, Mathur 6-0-15-1, Arpit 6-1-10-0.

Saini strikes after Purohit's half-century