Bengal, K’taka in Ranji quarters
PATIALA: Bengal and Karnataka scripted contrasting wins over Punjab and Baroda respectively to qualify for the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals on Friday. The results on day three of the final round of Ranji Trophy also knocked Delhi out of the tournament. Punjab, needing 190 runs for victory, fluffed their run chase to be bowled out for 141, handing Bengal a 48-run victory. Spinners dominated the game with Bengal left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed picking up four wickets in the second innings to take his match haul to 11.
Resuming day three at 199 for nine, Bengal scored only three runs to set Punjab a 190-run target. It turned out to be enough in a low-scoring game as Punjab were bowled out in 47. 3 overs. Ramandeep Singh (69 not out off 104) ran out of partners in the end. Bengal gained six points from the win, pushing them on the top of the standings.
In Bengaluru, Karnataka advanced to the quarterfinals with an eight-wicket win over Baroda. It was an improved batting effort from Baroda in the second innings after being shot out for 85 on day one. They ended their second innings at 296 all out, setting Karnataka a 149-run target, which the hosts reached in 44.4 overs with the loss of just two wickets.
Karnataka skipper Karun Nair took the team over the line with an unbeaten 71 off 126 balls. At the Ferozeshah Kotla, Delhi made Rajasthan follow-on after bowling them out for 299 in the first innings in response to their mammoth 623.
Rajasthan captain Ashok Menaria scored a gritty 119 but he did not get support from the other batsmen. Following-on, Rajasthan were 128 for in their second innings, trailing Delhi by 196 runs.
Bengal top the Elite Group A & B table with 32 points, followed by Karnataka who have 31 points now. Both have completed their quota of eight matches. Matches involving Gujarat (29), Saurashtra (28) and Andhra (27) are yet to be decided. The top five from this group will advance to the knockouts. Punjab finished on 24 points while Uttar Pradesh (20) have no chance of making the cut. Jammu & Kashmir and Odisha have already qualified from Elite Group C while Goa have qualified from the Plate Group.
Brief scores:
In Patiala: Bengal 138 & 202 bt Punjab 151 & 141 (R Singh 69*, S Ahmed 4/44) by 48 runs. Bengal 6, Punjab 0.
In Bengaluru: Baroda 85 & 296. Karnataka 233 & 150/2 (K Nair 71*). Karnataka won by 8 wkts. Karnataka 6, Baroda 0.
In Nadiad: Andhra 177 & 216/7 (KK Shinde 64, B Sumanth 47, A Patel 5/77) v Gujarat 406.
In Delhi: Delhi 623. Rajasthan 299 & 128/2 (M Lomror 64*).
In Rajkot: Tamil Nadu 424. Saurashtra 346/6 (A Barot 82, A Vasavada 126*)