Bengal couldn’t quite post a huge first-innings total, falling short of the 450- mark. But they do have the edge in their Ranji Trophy semi-final clash in Indore, with Madhya Pradesh 56/2 at stumps on Day II.

Bengal, earlier, finished at 438.

Quicks Akash Deep and Ishan Porel accounted for openers Yash Dubey and Himanshu Mantri, respectively, in Thursday’s final session. The other bowlers too were disciplined enough with their lines and lengths, keeping Madhya Pradesh batters under pressure.

The ball, especially when in the hands of the spinners, kept low on quite a few occasions which imply that batting may get tougher as the game progresses. Unless the bowlers falter and drift in line on Day III, Bengal should continue having the leash on the home team and be in a strong position to gain a crucial first-innings lead.

Earlier, resuming on 307/4, Bengal lost one of the overnight batsmen Shahbaz Ahmed early. But Abishek Porel (51) and captain Manoj Tiwary (42), the other overnight batsman, combined well to take Bengal’s total past 400 with a 78-run sixth-wicket stand.

Tiwary held one end up while Porel went for the shots whenever he sensed an opportunity. He didn’t err in terms of shot selection, something he had done in some of the previous games.

Being more mindful on this occasion helped Porel to his first half-century in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. He was looking good for more runs but was run out owing to a miscommunication.

Following Porel’s departure, Bengal lost their last three wickets for only 19 runs.

For Madhya Pradesh,left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya finished with the best figures (3/95).

Brief scores: Bengal 438 (A. Porel 51; K. Kartikeya 3/95). Madhya Pradesh 56/2. At stumps, Day II.