Bengal have regained the momentum in their crucial Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradeshin Indore.
At stumps on Day II, Bengal were 170/5 in their second innings after taking a first-innings lead of 61. They have a healthy overall lead of 231, with the pressure now very much on Madhya Pradesh.
Writtick Chatterjee (33) and Wriddhiman Saha (21) will resume the proceedings for Bengal on Friday.
Resuming on 103/1, Madhya Pradesh collapsed to 167 as senior India pacer Mohammed Shami (4/54) struck in his comeback game, while his brother Mohammed Kaif and the other quick Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal took two wickets apiece.
Madhya Pradesh’s innings got over by lunch on Thursday as they lost nine wickets for just 64 runs. Bengal quicks made the most of the helpful conditions in Indore.
Record stand
In Porvorim, Goa, Snehal Kauthankar and Kashyap Bakle scored unbeaten triple centuries and recorded the highest partnership in the tournament’s history. They stitched an unbroken 606 to help Goa hammer Arunachal Pradesh by an innings and 551 runs on Thursday in their Plate group game.
While Kauthankar smashed 314 not out off 215 balls, Bakle blazed away to an unbeaten 300 off just 269 balls to propel Goa to a mammoth 727/2 declared and gain a 643-run first-innings lead. Goa then dismissed Arunachal for 92 to complete a massive win.
Their unbeaten partnership surpassed the 594-run stand for the third wicket between the Maharashtra duo of SM Gugale and AR Bawne against Delhi at the Wankhede in 2016.
Summarised scores
n In Indore: Bengal 228 & 170/5 (Sudip Gharami 40). MP 167 (Mohammed Shami 4/54). At stumps, Day II.
n In Porvorim: Arunachal 84 & 92 (Lakshay Garg 4/43). Goa 727/2 decl. (Snehal Kauthankar 314 n.o., Kashyap Bakle 300 n.o.). Goa won by an innings & 551 runs.