Bengal put up an excellent struggle on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy closing towards Saurashtra on the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday (February 18). Nonetheless, Saurashtra did properly sufficient to make sure they remained within the ascendancy by stumps.

Resuming their first innings at 317-5 in response to Bengal’s 174, Saurashtra ended up scoring 404. Bengal reached 169-4 at shut on play on Day 3, nonetheless trailing by 61 runs with six second-innings wickets in hand.

Bengal struck early on Day 3 as Arpit Vasavada fell with out including to his in a single day rating of 81. Pacer Mukesh Kumar acquired a supply to nip away, and the often affected person Vasavada misplaced focus and chased the ball however solely managed a nick to the keeper.

Chirag Jani, who was 57* in a single day, was the subsequent to go for 60. He additionally fell to Kumar, getting a feather on one other supply that moved away as he tried to work the ball to the leg aspect. Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat (4) acquired a close to unplayable supply from Akash Deep that additionally moved away after pitching and located the sting.

Prerak Mankad (33) and last-man Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (29), although, performed tremendous cameos to make sure that Saurashtra crossed the 400-run mark. For Bengal, Kumar starred with 4-111, whereas Akash Deep and Ishan Porel claimed three wickets apiece.

Unadkat, Sakariya strike key blows for Saurashtra earlier than Bengal supply resistance

Needing a stable begin to have any probability of creating a comeback within the Ranji Trophy closing, Bengal misplaced their prime three cheaply. Sumanta Gupta (1) was squared up Chetan Sakariya, giving a catch to second slip.

Sakaraiya then acquired a size ball to form away and had Abhimanyu Easwaran caught behind for 16. Sudip Kumar Gharami (14) acquired a brute from Saurashtra captain Unadkat. The ball had tempo and bounce, and Gharami may solely handle a thick outdoors edge, which was held at second slip.

Anustup Majumdar (61) and Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary (57*) added 99 runs for the fourth wicket to offer the batting aspect a carry. Bengal would have hoped for each batters to return undefeated at stumps. Nonetheless, Unadkat btoke the stand, having Majumdar caught at gully off a full supply.

At stumps on Day 3, Shahbaz Ahmed (13*) was giving his captain Tiwary firm. The duo must produce one thing extraordinary on Sunday to alter Bengal’s fortunes within the Ranji Trophy closing.

Ranji Trophy 2022-23 Closing Temporary scores

Bengal (174 & 169-4) path Saurashtra (404) by 61 runs – Anustup Majumdar 61, Manoj Tiwary (57*); Jaydev Unadkat 2-47, Chetan Sakariya 2-50