Ranji Trophy Highlights, Semifinals Day 3: Bengal in control against MP; Vasavada, Sheldon tons put Saurashtra in front foot vs Karnataka

• BEN 59/2 & 438 VS MP 170; Bengal leads by 327 runs
• SAU 364/4 VS KAR 407; Saurashtra trails by 43 runs

Bengal dominated the day, outperforming the defending champions in every department to take a commanding lead in the game. Ten wickets were lost today as MP crumbled in the face of Bengal’s attack.

After finishing Madhya Pradesh’s first innings on 170, the visitors scored 59 runs in the final session in 29 overs at the expense of their openers.

Bengal’s lead has now increased to 327 runs, and both Sudip Gharami and Anustup Majumdar will be key factors in determining whether the host can make a comeback or not.

BEN 59/2 IN 29 OVERS VS MP 170 & BEN 438

Saurashtra dominates Day 3, with tons from skipper Arpit Vasavada and Sheldon Jackson.

Vasavada is still out there with a spirited Chirag Jani, with the duo skittling down Karnataka’s lead to 43 runs.

Karnataka bowlers didn’t help themselves much with some ordinary bowling.

Saurashtra 364-4 in 112 overs vs Karnataka 407

Chirag Jani has come in and provided his skipper with the needed support to help Saurashtra get closer to Karnataka’s first-innings total.

The home side needs quick wickets to get itself back into this game.

Bengal reaches fifty, and its lead jumps to 318 runs. Both centurions of the first innings, Sudip Gharami and Anustup Majumdar are at the crease and will try to bat long as the winner will be determined by the first innings lead, which Bengal already has.

Vasavada gets lucky. Kaverappa forces an edge, but luckily for the Saurashtra skipper, it flies between the keeper and first slip for a four and that brings up his 100.

A true captain’s knock from Vasavada.

Kartikeya strikes in his third over. He removes the other opener, Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was batting on 17. After pitching, the ball stayed low and did not spin, going straight into the stumps. The second wicket has fallen, and MP will be looking for more of these quick wickets. Easwaran b Kartikeya 17(34) [4s-2]

BEN 39/2 IN 14.3 OVERS VS MP 170 & BEN 438

The first breakthrough for Madhya Pradesh as Saransh Jain bowled Karan Lal. He drifted the ball in for Lal from outside off stumps which clipped the bails as Lal departs for 50-ball 19. Karan Lal b Saransh Jain 19(50) [4s-2]

BEN 37/1 IN 14 OVERS VS MP 170 & BEN 438

Karnataka finally breaks through!

Sheldon Jackson falls for 160. Krishanppa Gowtham traps him in front, ending a splendid innings. Saurashtra loses its fourth.

Saurashtra 324-4 in 98 overs vs Karnataka

A confident start from Bengal openers as they carefully negotiated the opening spell of Anubhav Agarwal and Kumar Kartikeya. Avesh Khan later replaced the spinner but could not create any chances for defending champions. Bengal’s lead has jumped to 293 runs.

Sheldon Jackson reaches 150 and he looks set for more. Soon enough, Saurashtra crosses 300 and it is warning bells for Karnataka.

Saurashtra 306-3 in 93 overs vs Karnataka

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The last session of Day 3 begins. Saurashtra has dominated the day so far.

After losing Harvik Desai, it has soared forward thanks to some chance-less batting from Sheldon Jackson and skipper Arpit Vasavada.

The duo has forged a 195-run partnership, which brought Saurashtra within striking distance of Karnataka’s first innings total.

Karan Lal and Abhimanyu Easwaran take guard as Bengal begins its second innings with a lead of 268. Kumar Kartikeya will begin with the new ball.

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STADIUM UPDATE

With nothing happening, Karnataka appealing for everything. So much so that Manish Pandey claimed a catch at first slip when the ball had clearly bounced. Umpires alert though. Sheldon and Arpit carrying on.

Bengal leads by 268 runs and it is on Manoj Tiwary to decide whether to give their bowlers a break and bat again or force MP to follow-on.

Shubham Sharma gets run out as Madhya Pradesh is bundled out for just 170 runs and as a result, Bengal takes crucial 1st innings lead against the hosts. Shubham Sharma run out (A Majumdar) 44(99) [4s-4]

Avesh Khan departs on duck as Akash Deep gets his fifth! What a spell this has been from this young man. Another pitched-up delivery on the fourth-fifth wicket line and Avesh tried to drive but instead nicked it to the keeper who completed a fine catch to give Bengal the ninth wicket. Avesh Khan c Abishek Porel b Akash Deep 0 (10b 0x4 0x6)

MP 162/9 IN 76 OVERS VS BENGAL 438

STADIUM UPDATE

Saurashtra coasting. Sheldon batting on a comfortable 131 while Arpit Vasavada has picked up pace too, using his feet well to the spinners. But they have been helped along by some bad bowling. Shreyas Gopal, Vyshak have bowled short and wide and paid the price. Shreyas tried loading the leg side field to Sheldon, but to no avail.

Akash removes Kumar Kartikeya on duck with the following ball. This time he traps Kartikeya in front of the wicket. Two in two for Akash as he is on a hat trick. Kartikeya lbw b Akash Deep 0(1)

MP 155/8 IN 72 OVERS VS BENGAL 438

Akash Deep to Saransh Jain, OUT! Gone! Absolute jaffa from Akash Deep. The ball moved late in the air and went through the gates to crash into stumps. Saransh Jain, who was looking solid till now will have to go back. He scored 169-ball 65 as Kumar Kartikeya came in at number nine. Saransh Jain b Akash Deep 65(168) [4s-5]

MP 155/7 IN 71.5 OVERS VS BENGAL 438

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Vyshak requires medical attention after a Sheldon Jackson straight drive brushes his finger during his follow-up.

The umpires call for a drinks break meanwhile.

Saurashtra is just a hit away from 250, with the Jackson-Vasavada partnership crossing 150 runs.

The away side now trails Karnataka by just 162 runs and it will be hoping to whittle it down significantly before end of Day 3.

Vasavada gets to his 50. He has steadied the ship along with Sheldon Jackson.

Karnataka is beginning to look clueless against this sure-footed partnership.

Saurashtra 234-3 in 71 overs vs Karnataka

After lunch, Manoj Tiwary mixed spin with the pace with the duo of Shahbaz Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar. Shubham, who now looks much more at ease in the middle, provided Saransh with much-needed support as both batters gradually guides MP’s innings close to the 150-run mark.

Vasavada and Jackson are scoring at a faster clip now, turning the pressure back on Karnataka.

The Saurashtra skipper took his time to settle in but is now matching his partner in terms of stroke-making.

Gopal offers Jackson a half-tracker and the Saurashtra batter launches it over mid-wicket for a SIX!!

The home side is under the pump here.

Saransh Jain and Shubham Sharma continue as Shahbaz Ahmed starts the proceedings for Bengal after lunch.

Sheldon Jackson on the attack straight after lunch.

Shreyas Gopal gifts a full-toss and Jackson clips it coolly over mid-on for a four. He then takes a single and reaches a quick-fire century, which has put his side well back into this game.

Another session went in Bengal’s favour, with the visitors taking four wickets. Manoj Twary’s men will be pleased with how things have played out. Bengal kept batters under pressure with the fast-bowling trio of Ishan Porel, Mukesh Kumar, and Akash Deep, and later Shahbaz Ahmed used the rough to pick Iyer and captain Shrivastava. MP’s immediate threat is to avoid the follow-on, which appears to be an insurmountable task for them. Only Saransh Jain displayed grit, scoring a fighting fifty and looking better than the rest of the batters.

Saurashtra has hit right back at Karnataka. More than 100 runs in the session and lost just one wicket this morning. Sheldon Jackson has looked pretty good. But for a few deliveries against offie K Gowtham, largely untroubled against the Karnataka bowlers. Arpit Vasavada has played the ideal foil. Secure in his defence. This match is shaping up nicely.

Saurashtra is working its way back into this game.

Jackson and Vasavada show the required grind to put up a solid partnership.

Karnataka gets a tiny glimpse of an opportunity when Vyshak pitched one on good length and made it bounce, only for the edge from Vasavada to fly above the slip cordon.

Saurashtra looks well poised to take this semifinal game deep.

Six down! Madhya Pradesh is falling like a pack of cards here. Venkatesh Iyer departs after scoring seven runs. Shabhaz Ahmed bowls slower length delivery and it spun away with an unusual bounce for Iyer as he looked surprised and in confusion gave his catch to the fielder in short-leg. Venkatesh Iyer c Gharami b Shahbaz Ahmed 7(5) [6s-1]

MP 101/6 in 50.3 OVERS VS BENGAL 438

Captain departs on seven as Shahbaz Ahmed found him plumb in front of the wicket. He bowls a quicker one, drifted a little after pitching and Shrivastava tried to defend it but misses the line. Ahmed gets his first as Madhya Pradesh is now five down. Shrivastava lbw b Shahbaz Ahmed 7(37) [4s-1] Venkatesh Iyer comes in at number seven for MP.

MP 89/5 in vs 47 OVERS VS BENGAL 438

Vasavada gets off his mark after 24 balls. At the other end, Sheldon Jackson continues to motor on with boundaries across the field.

Mayank Agarwal brings on Shreyas Gopal to break Jackson’s momentum, but with not much success.

The Saurashtra batter enters his 80s.

Saransh Jain has led MP close to 100 with his 86-ball 34, while Aditya Shrivastava is taking his time in a difficult situation as he is playing on 24-ball seven. Bengal 85 for four down as we are heading for a drinks break.

UPDATE FROM VENUE

Sheldon Jackson has looked at ease this morning. Seems to have so much time to play the shots. Karnataka not helping itself by continuing to drop catches. Now Manish Pandey lets go of one at leg slip off Arpit Vasavada, with K. Gowtham the bowler

Sheldon Jackson seems to be batting on another pitch. He has way too much time to pick a back-of-length delivery from Koushik, before crashing it to through covers for a four.

Another four, this time with an edge, gets Jackson to his half-century. Saurashtra will be hoping he will build on this, for it to get close to Karnataka’s total.

Saurashtra 109-3 in 43 overs vs Karnataka

Mukesh Kumar bowls an inswinger that was drifting in quickly and hits the pad since Shrivastava was late with his shot. Mukesh contends he has a wicket as it is a close call, but umpire Anil Chaudhary signals inside edge. However, the replays show no bat involved. Big miss for Mukesh!

MP 77/4 IN 39 OVERS VS BENGAL 438

Kaverappa continues to torment Saurashtra.

Skipper Arpit Vasavada, the new batter, is his next target.

Kaverappa surprises him with a bouncer and it crashes off his helmet into the hands of slips, leading to loud appeals from the Karnataka side. No response from the umpire.

Slow going for the away side to start Day 3.

After two early hiccups, Anubhav Agarwal joined by captain Aditya Shrivastava will look to slow things down for MP as the fast-bowling trio of Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep and Ishan Porel are dominating the passage of play for Bengal. Madhya Pradesh has only managed 18 runs since the morning. 36 gone, MP 74 for four.

WHAT A WICKET! If Mukesh’s delivery was unplayable, Akash Deep’s delivery is out of this world. Akash pitched in the middle line, and the ball stayed low, rolled below the knee, and crashed into the stumps. He gets Patidar for a duck! Patidar appears perplexed as the fourth wicket falls for Madhya Pradesh. This is quality bowling in tandem from Akash and Mukesh. Rajat Patidar b Akash Deep 0(2)

MP 60/4 IN 31.4 OVERS VS BENGAL

Koushik capitalises on the pressure imparted by Kaverappa.

Desai premeditated an outswinger, only to find the ball jagging back in. The ball strikes his front pad and the umpire shows no hesitation in signalling him out.

Harvik Desai lbw b Koushik 33 (106b 4x4 0x6 )

Mukesh Kumar looks dangerous in these conditions against, both Anubhav Agarwal and Saransh Jain. He starts with a solid tight line over to cramp the batters.

It was followed by Akash Deep, a typical outswing bowler with control and decent pace, who hit a fuller length to Saransh Jain, which was played with caution to mitigate the initial movement.

Mukesh returned to Anubhav with an unplayable delivery. He completely misjudged the line and was caught off guard by the late swing. Mukesh kept the same line for the rest of the over and eventually got the wicket he was after. Good length ball nicked past the bat and caught behind. What a great way to start the day! Anubhav Agarwal c Abishek Porel b Mukesh Kumar 5(15) [4s-1]

MP 59/3 IN 31 OVERS VS BENGAL

Kaverappa finding the necessary amount of swing to make lives difficult for the Saurashtra batters.

Sheldon Jackson executes a glorious cover drive of Koushik for four to keep things moving.

But his partner Harvik Desai has not had the greatest start, with Kaverappa beating his outside edge on multiple occasions.

Mukesh Kumar with the first over of Day 3 as Bengal looks for making further inroads into a struggling MP.

Anubhav Agarwal and Saransh Jain will be looking to get through a tricky first few overs.

Karnataka bowlers will be looking to exploit the most out of the early conditions on Day 3.

Harvik Desai didn’t have the greatest of starts, but he has consolidated ever since. Sheldon Jackson was fluent from the go, smashing six boundaries already.

• Karnataka - 407/10 vs Saurashtra - 76/2 in 30 overs*
• Bengal - 438/10 vs Madhya Pradesh - 56/2 in 28 overs*

A disciplined seam attack and fighting knocks from Abishek Porel (51, 102b, 8x4) and Manoj Tiwary (42, 129b, 5x4) helped Bengal establish a stranglehold over Madhya Pradesh on the second day of the Ranji Trophy semifinal here at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

The host stares at a 382-run deficit after losing openers Yash Dubey and Himanshu Mantri, who looked well-set during their 27-run vigil.

An imperious double ton by Mayank Agarwal put Karnataka firmly in control of the Ranji Trophy semifinal against Saurashtra at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Thursday.

From an overnight 110, the skipper finished on 249 (429b, 28x4, 5x6) to take the hosts’ total to 407. If he had not been the last man to be dismissed – run out by Sheldon Jackson – he would have become only the second Karnataka opener to have carried his bat in the competition after K.L. Rahul (vs. Uttar Pradesh, 2013/14).

When to watch Ranji Trophy 2022/23?

Ranji Trophy semifinals will start from Wednesday, February 8 from 9:30 AM IST.

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A select number of tournament matches are being telecast on Star Sports 2 and Star Sports 2 HD. The telecast also provides updates and scores from all matches at regular intervals.

Where to live stream Ranji Trophy 2022/23?

The streaming of the Ranji Trophy matches will be available on Disney+ Hotstar app.