Kolkata: Bengal bowlers complemented the performance of their batsmen well and reduced Gujarat to 18-4 at stumps on day three of their Ranji Trophy match at the Eden Gardens here on Monday.
Bengal who had already taken a huge lead of 266 runs in the first innings broke through the Gujarat top order and gave themselves a chance of an outright win.
Gujarat wer pushed to the wall by a brilliant 191 b Manoj Tiwary and fluent 113 by Laxmi Ratan Shukla which took them past the Gujarat first innings score and post a mammoth 526-7.
Their batting order failed to respond in the expected way and Priyank Panchal was the first casualty of their second essay after a mix-up with Smit Patel saw him getting run-out. Niraj Patel was the next man to depart after he edged Dinda to second slip. Smit followed the suit and was bowled b Sourav Sarkar.
In came their Parthiv Patel and Gujarat required him to stay at the crease, but he could not do much and soon joined the others in the pavilion.
Earlier, Bengal resuming the day at overnight score of 220-4,eased past the Gujarat’s first innings score of 260 in the 18th over of the day. Tiwary played well and was on course of a double ton but then he was unfortunate to fall short. He hit 21 boundaries and a six in his mammoth innings.
Tiwary put up a good stand with Anustup Mazumdar. Both the batsmen stitched 145 runs for the fifth wicket. Mazumdar was out scoring 68 off 114 balls including eight fours.
His wicket brought Shukla to the crease ad continuing his good form the last match took the attack straight to the bowlers. His 117-ball innings comprised of 15 boundaries and two sixes.
For Gujarat Rush Kalaria was the pick of the bowlers with his 3-116.
By Indian Sports News Network