Bengal have a mountain to climb on the final day of their Ranji Trophy clash against Kerala at Thumba in Thiruvananthapuram.

At stumps on the penultimate day, Bengal were 77 for the loss of two wickets after Kerala, declaring their second innings at 265/6, set them the visitors a daunting target of 449.

On a rank turner, Bengal need to get 372 more on Monday if they are to win this contest and somehow keep their knockout hopes alive. Abhimanyu Easwaran, Bengal’s top-scorer in the first innings with 72, is still at the crease batting on 33.

No wonder Easwaran has to play a really big innings if Bengal are to harbour hopes of even avoiding a defeat and finishing with a point. Given their fragile batting, it would be nothing but a miracle if Bengal pull off a win from the current position.

Agreed, Bengal do have Anustup Majumdar still to come, while Shahbaz Ahmed too has had success with the bat in the fourth innings. The spinner all-rounder has proven in the past that he has that ability to life his game under pressure and during intense situations.

But having said that, this is Shahbaz’s first appearance in this Ranji edition after an injury had ruled him out for a long time. While for Anustup, not being amongst runs in the last couple of innings may make matters tougher for him, especially on that turner.

Such are the conditions at Thumba that pacer Akash Deep, currently in India’s squad for the remaining three England Tests, didn’t bowl even an over in the second innings.

Jalaj Saxena (9/68) took nine in the first innings as Bengal were all out for 180, resuming Day III on 172/8. In the second, the spinner all-rounder scored 37 opening the innings and then removed Easwaran’s opening partner Ranjot Khaira.

Brief scores: Kerala 363 & 265/6 decl. Bengal 180 (J. Saxena 9/68) & 77/2 (A. Easwaran 33 batting). At stumps, Day III.

Mumbai lead

Pacer Tushar Deshpande (5/121) took a five-for, enabling Mumbai take a one-run first-innings lead over Chhattisgarh in Raipur on Sunday. Dismissing the hosts for 350, Mumbai were 97/1 in their second essay.