KOLKATA: Bengal bowlers continued their good work to give rise hopes of a victory as they struck early to reduce Hyderabad, chasing 239 runs for victory, to 16 for three in their second innings on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Saturday.
All the three pacers - Mukesh Kumar, Ishan Porel and Akash Deep picked a wicket each as an upbeat Bengal are ready to go for the final punch on the last day on Sunday to record back-to-back victories which will almost ensure them a place in the knockout stage.
Starting the day at 16 for one, Bengal batters could not build up any meaningful partnership. Their tail once again caved in without a fight as they lost their last four wickets for 18 runs only. All-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed once again ended up as the side’s highest run-scorer getting a useful 51 off 87 deliveries. Although Bengal’s new-found hero Abishek Porel could not open his account, unfortunately being run out on Saturday, another youngster Ritwik Roy Chowdhury provided the initial winds to the innings. The right-handed batter faced 127 deliveries for a well-made 41, but experienced Manoj Tiwary and Anushtup Majunder could not capitalise on that start. While Tiwary was run out for 10, Majumder could not carry on falling for 42 in spite of starting off well. However, his 65-run sixth-wicket stand with Shahbaz actually helped Bengal finish with a creditable total.
Hyderabad left-arm spinner Tanay Thyagarajan continued to leave a mark following up his five-wicket haul in the first innings with three for 44 in the second.
