Players Details
Fixture & Results
Bengal restrict MP to 271/6
14th June 2022
Bengal bowlers put up a disciplined show to restrict Madhya Pradesh to 271/6 at the end of the first day's play in Ranji trophy semifinal match today at Alur Stadium, Bangalore.
Bengal made one change to their side with all-rounder Pradipta Pramanik coming in for pacer Ishan Porel.
Bengal head coach Arun Lal said at the end of the first day's play: "It was tough to lose the toss. It's a terrific wicket to bat on. The boys did very well, we reduced them to 97/4 and controlling the game well. But then young kid Akshat Raghuwanshi came and played a magnificent innings, fearless counterattack and he opened up the game. In the last session we got a couple of wickets, so we are there. I think if we can get them out for another 50 runs, we are ahead in this game."
"(On playing XI change) We needed to get a spinner in the team and Sayan did well in the last match, he's scored runs also for us, do we decided keep him."
MP won the toss and elected to bat first. Mukesh Kumar took two early wickets while Shahbaz Ahamad and Pradipta 1 wicket each to reduce MP to 97/4 in the early session.
Himanshu Mantri played a gritty knock to remain unbeaten on 134 while youngster Akshat Raghuwanshi hit a fluent 63 to steady the ship and take their team to a fighting total.
"Wicket is plumb batting track, it's difficult to bowl on this wicket. You need to bowl special deliveries to get anybody out. Our two fast bowlers did a brilliant job but it was an ordinary day for our spinners. We hope to wrap it up early tomorrow," Bengal head coach added.
Akash Deep removed Akshat and MP batter Saransh Jain (17) later in the day keep Bengal dominant in the crucial tie.
CAB MEDIA DESK
Rio Dutta
