Rampant Mumbai crush Bengal

Mohit Avasthi’s seven-wicket haul helps the visitors win by an innings and fours runs

Mohit Avasthi ran through the Bengal batting lineup, grabbing seven wickets for 52 runs as Mumbai stormed to an innings and four-run win with a bonus point in their Ranji Trophy Group B match here on Sunday.

Avasthi finished with a 10wicket haul in the match, having taken 3/63 in Bengal's first innings, as the hosts were bowled out for 209 in their second innings after being asked to follow-on. A collective batting effort in the first innings had given Mumbai a formidable 412 at the start of the game, which allowed them to dominate Bengal.

The hosts, despite a valiant 109 from Anustup Majumdar, had folded up for 199, giving Mumbai a first-innings lead of 213 runs, following which they enforced the follow-on.

The 31-year-old right-arm pacer Avasthi not only recorded his third five-for in the five Ranji matches so far this season, he also grabbed his third Player-of-the-Match award.

At the Moin ul Haq Stadium in Patna, hosts Bihar were staring at a massive defeat at the hands of Andhra at stumps on the third day.

Bihar were precariously placed at 111/8 in their second innings, trailing by another 170 runs, with Andhra closing in on a victory by an innings.

Bihar had made 182 in the first innings and conceded a 281-run lead after Andhra posted 463, powered by

Nithish Kumar Reddy's 159.

In the second innings, Bihar were left struggling as Andhra bowlers Lalith Mohan (4/27) and KV Sasikanth (3/8) shared seven wickets to continue the domination for their side.

At the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Ranchi, hosts Chhattisgarh conceded a slender 38-run lead against visiting side Kerala, who had taken their overall lead to 100 runs by the end of the day's play. Having posted 350 in their first innings, Kerala bowled out Chhattisgarh for 312 despite a fine 118 from KD Eknath. For the visitors, Nidheesh MD and Jalaj Saxena took three wickets apiece while Basil Thampi took two.

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Mohit Avasthi's bowling returns

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Avasthi's match haul