On a pitch where most of the Bengal batsmen found the going tough, Anustup Majumdar was a standout performer with a fighting 90.

But despite his heroics with the bat, Baroda made a strong comeback into the match reducing Bengal to 189/9 at stumps on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani on Wednesday.

After posting 269 in their first innings, Baroda bowlers Sahejadkhan Pathan (4/46) and Soyeb Sopariya (3/43) stepped up to put the visitors in a strong position at the end of the day. Earlier, resuming on the overnight score of 222/7, Baroda could add only 47 runs before their innings folded up within 100.1 overs.

For Bengal, Akash Deep (4/71), Mukesh Kumar (3/56) and Sayan Shekhar Mandal (2/48) were the star performers with the ball.

Bengal were dealt an early blow, being reduced to 25 for 2 inside six overs. Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was in superb form in the last few innings, departed after scoring only 22.

He was followed by skipper Manoj Tiwary (9) and Shahbaz Ahmed (8). Bengal were in deep trouble, having lost five wickets for only 77 runs on board.

With wickets falling at regular intervals, it was left to Anustup to bring some semblance of order and the righthand bat did not disappoint.

He played his natural game, helping Bengal notch up some useful runs. He was ably supported by Abishek Porel who scored a handy 25 in their 72-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

But after the dismissal of Porel, Baroda bowlers again started to dominate. At the end of day’s play, Mukesh Kumar (4) and Ishan Porel (6) remained unbeaten with Bengal still 80 runs behind Baroda’s first innings total of 269.

Brief scores: Baroda 269 (JK Singh 85, M Pithiya 52; A Deep 4/71, M Kumar 3/56). Bengal 189/9 (A Majumdar 90; S Pathan 4/46, S Sopariya 3/43). At stumps Day II.