Mohali: Laxmi Ratan Shukla’s valiant innings went in vain as Punjab pacers Manpreet Gony and Siddharth Kaul ran through the Bengal’s batting line-up to hand them an innings and 27 runs defeat in their Group A Ranji Trophy match here at the PCA Stadium on Monday.
This was Punjab’s second back to back to innings victory in the group and now they are the top of the group with 14 points.
Bengal resuming the day at 25-1, could not pose any resistance to the Punjab bowlers and lost wickets at a flurry. From their overnight score, they were quickly down to 39-5 as Gony picked up two quick wickets.
It was then Manoj Tiwary and Wriddhiman Saha who joined forces and they stitched a 63 run stand for the sixth wicket, before Kaul broke the partnership after he trapped Tiwary for 30. He hit three boundaries in his 94-ball innings.
Tiwary’s wicket brought Shukla to the crease and he continued his good form from the first innings. He started scoring fluently taking the attack to the opposition bowlers. Saha on the other hand was in his usual self and playing the role of an anchor well. He however fell soon after scoring his half century putting Bengal in a spot of bother. He scored 57 off 129 balls including seven boundaries.
His wicket exposed the tail and in no time Punjab wrapped up the innings. Shukla stayed unbeaten on 91 off 83 balls including 12 fours and a six.
For Punjab Gony was the wrecker-in-chief with his 5-41, while Kaul chipped in with 4-58.
By Indian Sports News Network