Ranji Trophy HIGHLIGHTS, Semifinals Day 4: Bengal bats MP out of game; Karnataka in back foot vs Saurashtra

• BENGAL 279/9 & 438 VS MADHYA PRADESH 170; BENGAL LEADS BY 547 RUNS
• KARNATAKA 123/4 & 407 VS SAURASHTRA 527; KARNATAKA LEADS BY 3 RUNS

Saurashtra all but in the final. Karnataka, in its second innings, needed quick runs and it did score at a brisk pace. But with just a lead of three runs and only one day to go, a result in Karnataka’s favour looks improbable. Mayank Agarwal and Nikin Jose stabilised after a horror start. Mayank scored a fine half-century and took his total for the season to 991 runs. But it may all amount to nothing.

Karnakata 123-4 in 26.2 overs vs Saurashtra

Different day, same story for Madhya Pradesh. The bowling attack looked toothless which coupled with the ordinary captaincy from Shrivastava. Bengal dominated every session till now as it has a magnanimous 547-run lead over the hosts. Nine down Bengal resisted scoring 60-odd runs for the last wicket as well. Pradipta Pramanik forced MP to open the field due to his explosive 101-ball 60-run innings. Bengal ended the day on 279/9 after playing 119 overs.

Dharmendrasinh Jadeja gets rid of Mayank Agarwal!

Jadeja saw the Karnataka skipper stepping out and pushed the ball wide, forcing a mishit out of Agarwal and Sakariya took a safe catch at long on.

Mayank Agarwal c Sakariya b Jadeja 55 (64b 5x4 0x6)

Pradipta completes his entertaining fifty. He smokes Avesh for a six and a four to reach the 50-run mark. Poor from MP. It looks helpless against Bengal.

Pradipta Pramanik is toying with the bowling attack. The 38-run stand for the last wicket demonstrated how MP fared in this game. Madhya Pradesh looked ordinary against Bengal at home, and Aditya Shrivastava’s team will still have to wait for the final wicket. Bengal now leads by 530 runs.

Nikhin Jose and Mayank Agarwal continue on rapidly to cut Saurashtra’s lead down to 20 runs.

Karnataka need to keep going at this clip to make a game out of this.

Saurashtra yet to press the panic button, despite almost all of its bowlers going at more than six runs per over so far.

Karnataka 100-2 in 20.1 overs vs Saurashtra

Pradipta Pramanik takes matters into his own hands as he smashed Saransh Jain for two back-to-back maximums. He steps out in the fifth ball of the over to register the fuller length ball between mid-wicket and mid-on for a six, followed by a bigger six in the same region in a similar fashion. Brutal by Pradipta to induce maximum damage on MP’s attack as the lead crosses the 500-run mark for Bengal.

Saransh Jain removes Mukesh Kumar on two to get his sixth scalp in the innings. Mukesh tries to defend on the front foot but the inside edge carries to short-leg who takes an easy catch to send him back to the pavilion. Mukesh Kumar c sub (AB Solanki) b Jain 2 (8b 0x4 0x6 )

BEN 223/9 IN 105.3 VS MP 170 & BEN 438

Karnataka shows its intent as it crosses 50 inside the ninth over.

Skipper Mayank Agarwal and Nikhin Jose have put the pressure back on Saurashtra with some crisp shots.

But the home side needs a lot more of this if it wants to push for a win.

Saransh dismisses Akash Deep for a duck, completing his fifer, but the wicket belongs to Avesh Khan, who ran across to complete a spectacular catch. Akash Deep c Avesh Khan b Jain 0 (10b 0x4 0x6 )

BEN 219/8 IN 101.5 OVERS VS MP 170 & BEN 438

Kartikeya traps Shahbaz plumb in front for lbw. Shahbaz falls after scoring 29 off 83. Shahbaz Ahmed lbw b Kartikeya 29 (83b 2x4 0x6 )

BEN 218/7 IN 98.4 OVERS VS MP 170 & BEN 438

Shahbaz Ahmed and Pradipta Pramanik come back to bat after tea to push MP away from the game.

Sakariya sneaks one through Devdutt Padikkal’s defence to castle him.

Karnataka’s push for quick runs is swinging this game further into the hands of Saurashtra.

Karnataka 16-2 in 4 overs vs Saurashtra

The worst possible start for Karnataka as Chetan Sakariya removes R Samarth with the first ball of second innings.

The Karnataka opener was trapped in front and the umpire showed no hesitation in signnaling him out.

59 runs came in 30 overs in this session as Bengal lost three wickets but extended its lead to 485 runs. Time for a tea break.

Anustup Majumdar departs after scoring 80 runs. Kartikeya bowls a middle-line ball that crashes into the pads after drifting in to trap Majumdar in front of the wickets. However, the ball nicked past his bat with a clear inside edge. An error from the umpire, Anil Chaudhary as Majumdar squandered a golden opportunity to score another century in this game. A Majumdar lbw b Kartikeya 80(219) [4s-7]

BEN 214/6 IN 92.3 VS MP 170 & BEN 438

Saurashtra finish on 527, with a 120-run lead. Kaverappa takes a fifer, his second of the season. But Karnataka has a near impossible task of erasing the lead, setting a target and then bowling Saurashtra out — all in four sessions!

Kaverappa is quick to wrap up the Saurashtra innings as he gets Kushang Patel bowled.

Saurashtra has a handy 120 run lead, which will force Karnataka batters to be aggressive from the offset.

Vasavada’s siege comes to an end as Kaverappa gets through his defence.

Just one more wicket and Karnataka batters can have another go to get something out of this game.

Arpit Vasavada b Kaverappa 202 (406b 21x4 1x6 )

200 up for Bengal in the second innings. After two quick wickets post lunch for Madhya Pradesh, Bengal regroups itself to exasperate the MP bowlers. Anustup Majumdar is exploiting the tired-looking bowling attack to demonstrate his technical superiority over Aditya Shrivastava’s men. While Shahbaz Ahmed bats comfortably and provides adequate support to his senior counterpart. Bengal’s lead is jumping close to 500 now.

Arpit Vasavada gets to his 200 with a quick double. It has been a remarkable knock from the Saurashtra skipper, matching what his opposite number pulled off.

He began by playing second fiddle to Sheldon Jackson.

After Jackson’s departure, Vasavada upped the ante, along with Chirag Jani, to push Saurashtra into the lead and possibly into the Ranji final.

Kaverappa gets one to swing away and Jadeja’s stay out in the middle has been cut short.

Samarth holds on to a tough catch at second slip.

Dharmendrasinh Jadeja c Samarth b Kaverappa 6 (35b 1x4 0x6)

Saurashtra has crossed 500. The lead is nearly 100. Two quick wickets for Shreyas and Mayank is seen egging the crowd on. But Saurashtra is slowly batting Karnataka out of the contest.

Shreyas Gopal strikes for Karnataka as he removes Prerak Mankad for eight and Parth Bhut in the following delivery on a golden duck. Prerak Mankad lbw b Gopal 8 (33b 0x4 0x6 ); Parth Bhut lbw b Gopal 0 (1b 0x4 0x6 )

Saurashtra 484/7 in 159 overs vs Karnataka 407

Saransh gets his fourth as he removes Abishek Porel on one. The fifth wicket falls for Bengal as MP looks to make a mini-comeback. Abishek Porel c Patidar b Jain 1 (7b 0x4 0x6 )

BEN 165/5 IN 73.3 VS MP 170 & BEN 438

Soon after lunch, MP gets another breakthrough.

Saransh Jain strikes for the home side and it is Manoj Tiwary who has to walk back. Manoj Tiwary c Kartikeya b Jain 15 (67b 0x4 1x6 )

BEN 163/4 IN 72 OVERS vs MP 170 & BEN 438

New batter Prerak Mankad and captain Arpit Vasavada restart after lunch.

Karnataka turns to spin in hopes for another breakthrough. Gowtham and Gopal bowling in tandem.

Anustup Majumdar and Manoj Tiwari continue on for Bengal after Lunch and they are in no particular hurry.

MP’s fate seems to be getting settled with each passing ball.

Another successful session for Saurashtra, with the away side securing the all-important first-innings lead.

It lost Chirag Jani after he completed a well-deserved fifty, while skipper Arpit Vasavada continues to soldier on.

Chirag Jani run out 72 (149b 5x4 1x6)

Saurashtra leads Karnataka by 62 runs.

Finally, a wicket falls for Karnataka.

It is Chirag Jani who departs, following some good work by Manish Pandey resulting in a run-out.

Saurashtra 466-5 in 149 overs vs Karnataka

150 up for Bengal as two experienced batters - Anustup Majumdar and Manoj Tiwary are batting in the middle. The Lead extends to 418 runs.

Vasavada and Jani are in no hurry as they push Saurashtra forward, with the Saurashtra skipper closing in on 150.

Shreyas Gopal pitches one short and Jani is quick to rock back and pull it to the mid-wicket fence for a FOUR!!

Karnataka needs quick wickets if it wants to get back into this game.

Saransh Jain strikes for MP! He bowls a middle-line ball which stays straight to trap a well-set Sudip in front of the wickets—the first wicket for the hosts since morning to break the 85-run partnership for the third wicket. Gharami lbw b Saransh Jain 41(112) [4s-3 6s-1]

BEN 124/3 IN 50.5 OVERS VS MP 170 & BEN 438

Karnataka thought it had a chance when it dismissed Sheldon Jackson yesterday.

But Chirag Jani was quick to snuff out that possibility with an assured performance and now he gets to a well deserved 50!!

Saurashtra 420-4 in 130 overs vs Karnataka

Saurashtra into the lead and in driver’s position. Karnataka has to go for the win and at the moment it looks a tough tough ask.

Chirag Jani smashed a boundary and Saurashtra takes the all-important first-innings lead against Karnataka.

It didn’t take much effort for Vasavada and Jani as they knocked off the 43 runs needed at the beginning of the day’s play..

Sudip charges on the MP bowlers to propel Bengal past 100 in the second innings. First innings centurions Anustup Majumdar and Gharami once again deliver for Bengal. The defending champions are running out of time as the lead approaches 400 for the guests.

BEN 101/2 in 42 overs vs MP 170 & BEN 438; Bengal leads by 369 runs

Sudip prowls on Kartikeya. He picks the line early, steps out and middles the ball to hit a SIX! down the ground. Stunning shot. Sudip gets the needed elevation to register the ball for a maximum. It is more of a statement from Bengal on day fourth as it looks to seal the game.

BEN 93/2 in 40 overs vs MP 170 & BEN 438; Bengal leads by 361 runs

Saurashtra is inching closer and closer to Karnataka’s first-innings tally.

None of the Karnataka bowlers have troubled the overnight duo of Vasavada and Jani, with runs trickling in with ease for the away side, which trails by just 20 runs.

Solid start from Bengal batters to play out the first few overs without taking any risks.

Bengal is on safe waters, at least for now. It is just a matter of not throwing away the significant upper hand it holds right now.

MP needs at least a miracle or two make it to the final now. Anustup Majumdar and Sudip Gharami, centurions from the first innings, continue for Bengal, as it looks to bat its way home.

Chirag Jani and skipper Arpit Vasavada begins Saurashtra’s quest for the potentially game-deciding first innings lead.

Kaverappa, who has been the pick of Karnataka bowlers, begins the action for the home side.

Akash Deep (five for 42) dismantled Madhya Pradesh before Sudip Gharami and Anustup Majumdar once again swung into damage control as Bengal took a 327-run lead with eight wickets remaining in the second innings on the third day of the Ranji Trophy semifinal at the Holkar Stadium here on Friday.

Gharami and Majumdar found themselves in a familiar situation when openers Karan Lal and Abhimanyu Easwaran were dismissed in the span of less than an over for the second time in the match. Lal and Abhimanyu, bowled by Saransh Jain and Kumar Kartikeya, respectively, were beaten by the turn while playing off the backfoot.

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Sheldon Jackson and Arpit Vasavada smashed sublime centuries to leave Karnataka out of kilter and bring Saurashtra right back into the Ranji Trophy semifinal at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Friday.

From an overnight 76 for two, Saurashtra reached 364 for four at stumps on day three, just 43 runs shy of Karnataka’s first-innings total.

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When to watch Ranji Trophy 2022/23?

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