A captain's knock of 129 by Mithun Manhas took Delhi to a respectable total on the first day of the crucial Elite Group 'A' Ranji Trophy cricket match against Punjab in Mohali on Monday.

An early innings slump saw Delhi tottering at 37 for four before Manhas's brave knock saw Delhi end the day on 274 for 7 at the PCA stadium.

Manhas's crucial fifth (98) and sixth wicket (114) partnerships with Pradeep Chawla (39) and Varun Kumar (batting 50) respectively helped the visitors, who desperately need a victory to stay in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals.

During the knock, which included 18 fours and a majestic six, Manhas also completed 3000 runs in Ranji Trophy cricket.

Earlier, Punjab's decision to put Delhi in to bat produced immediate results as both the openers, Salil Oberoi (0) and Rajat Bhatia (4), returned to the pavilion with the scoreboard reading six for two.

Rajan Gupta (19) also did not last long, and Ajay Jadeja (1), back in the side after missing the match against Railways due to a hamstring, disappointed before Manhas took charge of the proceedings.

Manhas played excellent shots all around the park much to the frustration of the home bowlers, who otherwise looked quite impressive for most part of the day.

Home side bowler Gagandeep claimed three wickets while Vineet Sharma and Amit Uniyal bagged two each.

At stumps, Sarandeep Singh, on five, was giving company to Varun Kumar.

Scoreboard

Delhi (1st Innings):
S Oberoi lbw b Vaneet 0
R Bhatia lbw b Gagandeep 4
R Gupta lbw b Uniyal 19
M Manhas c Mdan b Vaneet 129
A Jadeja c Madan b Uniyal 1
P Chawla c Madan b Gagandeep 39
V Kumar batting 50
N S Negi b Gagandeep 2
S Singh batting 5

Extras: (lb-8, nb-15, w-2) 25

Total: (for 7 wkts, 87.1 overs) 274

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-6, 3-34, 4-37, 5-135, 6-249, 7-259

Bowling: Vaneet Sharma 22-6-70-2, Gagandeep 20.1-6-45-3, Amit Uniyal 15-2-62-2, Reetinder Sodhi 11-2-41-0, Navdeep Singh 14-2-35-0, Raneet Ricky 1-0-4-0, Dinesh Mongia 4-0-9-0.