Middle-order batsman Y Venugopal Rao (60) and skipper MSK Prasad (45) bailed Andhra out with some determined batting as the hosts reached 186-3 on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group 'A' match against Delhi at Vishakapatnam.

The hosts, who opted to bat after winning the toss, were in trouble straightaway as Delhi bowlers dismissed both the openers cheaply.

With the team reduced to 48-2, Rao joined K S Shahabuddin (30) and the duo steadied the rocking ship by adding 50 runs for the third wicket before Shahabuddin fell to leg-spinner Abhishek Sharma.

But Delhi's joy was shortlived as their depleted bowling attack, without Ashish Nehra, Amit Bhandari and spinner Sarandeep Singh, was found wanting against a determined batting performance by Rao and Prasad, who weaved an unfinished partnership of 88.

Nehra is on the tour of Australia with the Indian team while Bhandari and Singh are playing for India 'A' in the Kenstar Asian 'A' Teams' championship in Kolkata.

The match, which was scheduled to start yesterday, had to be postponed by a day since the Delhi team could not reach this coastal town on time.

Kunal Lal, Harender Chaudhary and Abhishek shared the spoils for the visitors.