Md Kaif bags 3 as Bengal hold the edge against UP in Ranji Trophy


15th January 2024
Mohammad Kaif (3-72) impressed with the ball once again as Bengal reduced Uttar Pradesh to 178/4 in their second innings at the end of the third day in their second Elite Group B match at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on Sunday.
Besides Kaif, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal (1-30) stepped up on his debut again as the home side gathered a slender 50-run lead at stumps on third and penultimate day.
Earlier, resuming the day from overnight score of 46 for no loss after a delayed start due to bad light, Samarth Singh (54) and Aryan Juyal (42) added 53 runs in the morning before the former fell to Kaif.
His opening partner also departed, falling to Kaif, in a span of few overs to reduce UP to 114/2.
However skipper Nitish Rana (47 batting) and Priyam Garg (12) held the innings firmly.
As the home side looked to gather momentum, Kaif struck for the third time to dismiss Garg and leave UP to 150/3.
Next up, Suraj joined the party getting rid of incoming batsman Karan Sharma (4) to put UP in the backfoot.
At the end, Nitish along with Akshdeep Nath (11 batting) held their nerves to see off the third day without further damage.
Earlier, after bundling out UP for 60, Bengal in their first innings posted 188.

CAB MEDIA DESK
Arindam Basu