Ranji Trophy: Bengal take lead against Odisha
TANGI, ODISHA: Bengal rode on a disciplined pace attack to secure a first innings lead against Odisha in their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal clash here on Saturday.
The pace trio of Ishan Porel (3/72), Nilkantha Das (3/43) and Mukesh Kumar (3/51) shared nine wickets to dismiss Odisha for 250 to secure an 82-run first innings lead and put one foot in the semi-finals.
At close on day three, Bengal were 79 for two, extending their overall lead to 161 with Abhishek Raman (4) and in-form senior batsman Manoj Tiwary (3) at the crease.
Earlier Bengal pace bowlers, Porel, Mukesh and newcomer Das, stuck to their task, dismissing the remaining six batsmen for 99 runs after Odisha resumed the day at 151 for 4.
GUJARAT IN COMMAND
VALSAD, GUJARAT: Medium-pacer Chintan Gaja grabbed five wickets before Gujarat stretched their overall lead to 587 runs against Goa in their quarter-final. Riding on centuries by skipper Parthiv Patel and Roosh Kalaria, Gujarat had posted 602/8 in their first innings at the Sardar Patel Stadium.
The hosts had sent back both the Goa openers on day two itself. On the third day, led by the 25-year-old Gaja (5-19), Gujarat came up with a clinical performance to bowl out Goa for 173 in 57.5 overs.
Skipper Parthiv Patel decided not to enforce the follow-on and at stumps, Gujarat had an overall lead of 587 runs. In the second innings, Gujarat openers Samit Gohel (70*) and Priyank Panchal (37) added 72 for the first wicket as their lead swelled beyond 500.
SAURASHTRA ON TOP
ONGOLE,AP: Saurashtra took control of their quarter-final against Andhra by dismissing the hosts for 136 for a 283-run first-innings lead on Saturday.
At stumps on the third day, the visitors had extended the advantage by reaching 93 for 2 in their second innings.
Resuming on overnight 40 for 2 in response to Saurashtra’s 419, opener CR Gnaneshwar (43) and Ricky Bhui (28) put on 53 runs for the third wicket.
Left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja broke through when he had Gnaneshwar caught behind by Avi Barot. The wicketkeeper was in action again as he caught Bhui two runs later off Chirag Jani’s bowling. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (3/27) and Jani (2/14) blew away the middle and lower-order to put Saurashtra in the driver’s seat. Saurashtra did not enforce the follow-on despite the huge lead.
J&K IN CHARGE
JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir were in a good position to take the first-innings lead after bowling Karnataka out for 206 on day three on Saturday. Resuming the day on 14 for two, Karnataka managed to get past the 200-run mark with K Siddharth scoring 76. Skipper Karun Nair was dismissed by Aquib Nabi for four off the second ball of the day.
It was a disciplined bowling performance from the home team with Nabi and his new ball partner Mujtaba Yousuf taking three wickets each.
In response, J&K were 88 for two at stumps, needing another 119 runs to take the first-innings lead.
Brief scores:
Bengal 332 and 79/2 in 45 overs (Koushik Ghosh 41, Abhimanyu Easwaran 30). Odisha 250 in 102.1 overs (Nilkantha Das 3/43, Mukesh Kumar 3/51, Ishan Porel 3/72).
Gujarat 602/8 decl and 158/1 (Samit Gohel 70*, Suyash Prabhudessai 1-32) vs Goa 173 (Amit Verma 56, Chintan Gaja 5/19)
Saurashtra 419 all out in 146.5 overs (Chirag Jani 121; Prithvi Raj Yarra 3/51) and 93 for 2 in 33 overs vs Andhra 136 all out in 78.2 overs (C R Gnaneshwar 43, Ricky Bhui 28).
Karnataka 206 in 69.1 overs (Siddharth 76; Nabi 3/45, Yousuf 3/45). J&K 88/2 in 34 overs (Khajuria 39*, Pundir 16*).