Bengal batters failed to live up to the challenge of testing conditions as they lost by five wickets to Tamil Nadu in their third group-phase game of the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Monday.

Due to rain, a fair bit of moisture was there on the pitch as most of the Bengal batters caved in, helping Tamil Nadu bowlers have a field day. Bengal were bundled out for a paltry 84 in 23.4 overs after being put in.

That all their 11 cricketers have had the experience of playing in the IPL with some of them still having a contract with their respective franchises — particularly captain Dinesh Karthik, who has been retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore — gave Tamil Nadu a fair amount of advantage over Bengal in the first place. Yet, Bengal could stretch Tamil Nadu, courtesy their bowlers.

Karthik and Co. did win the game by as many as 185 balls to spare, but lost half their side chasing such a small target. Ishan Porel and Mohammed Kaif struck twice each while Akash Deep took one, trying their best to keep Bengal in the contest.

“Had we won the toss and bowled first, our bowlers could well have packed them off for an even smaller total,” Bengal chief coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla said later. Bengal play Madhya Pradesh next at Thane on Wednesday.

Brief scores: Bengal 84 in 23.4 ovs (S. Ahmed 20; S. Warrier 4/23). Tamil Nadu 85/5 in 19.1 ovs (N. Jagadeesan 30; M. Kaif 2/12, I. Porel 2/40). Tamil Nadu won by 5 wickets.