Bengal stayed alive in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B contest against Baroda in Cuttack courtesy better batting display in their second innings.

After being bundled out for 88 in their first essay, Bengal were 146/2 in the second innings when the stumps were drawn at the Barabati Stadium on Saturday. This after another impressive performance by the bowlers as they shot out Baroda for 255 in their second innings.

Though well begun, Bengal still have a mountain to climb as they resume their chase of a 349-run target on Sunday, the final day of the match.

Captain Abhimanyu Easwaran led from the front, remaining unbeaten on 79 from 114 balls at the close of play. Giving him company at crease was Anustup Majumdar, batting on 22.

While the task is difficult, it’s not impossible given the fact that Bengal still have a couple of experienced hands — Manoj Tiwary and Sudip Chatterjee — at their disposal. They require another 203 runs for a win.

Also important will be to find out how the wicket, which has aided the seamers so far, behaves on the last day.

But there is belief in the Bengal camp. “If we can bat well in the first hour on Sunday, we can chase it down,” skipper Abhimanyu said after the third day’s play. “It’s all about the belief that we can turn it around and with the batting line-up we have, we are ready to give everything. If we can build good partnerships we can certainly chase it down.”

Brief scores: Baroda 181 & 255 (Akash Deep 3/69, Ishan Porel 3/70). Bengal 88 and 146/2 (Abhimanyu Easwaran 79 batting).