Bengal thrash Haryana, enter QF
Rohtak, Jan 20: Bengal pacer Akash Deep returned with a career-best 10-wicket match haul as Bengal stormed into quarterfinals with a thumping innings and 50-run victory over Haryana in their Group A Ranji Trophy match here on Friday. Resuming the final day on a precarious 177/7 following on, Haryana managed to last only 10 overs and folded for 206 with Akash wrapping up the issue, dismissing Ajit Chahal and Amit Rana en route to a second successive five-wicket haul (5/51). Akash’s 5/61 in the first innings had brought the home team’s downfall for a paltry 153 as he returned with his maiden 10-wicket match haul (10/112). Mukesh Kumar (3/62) and Ishan Porel (2/42) also impressed as the the Bengal pace troika unleashed their fury on a challenging Lahli track. Bengal posted a massive 419 in their first innings, thanks to Anustup Majumdar’s gritty 145. The victory helped the Manoj Tiwary-led side remain on top of Group A with 32 points from six games having won four and drawn two to sail into the quarters with a match in hand. They next face Odisha at the Eden Gardens from Tuesday. “Good win yes but we have a long way to go. There is no place for complacency. There is no place for celebration. We need to work hard and fight together as a team,” Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla said. Meanwhile, in Odisha played out a draw with Uttar Pradesh in Meerut. Batting first Odisha had posted 226in the first innings. Uttar Pradesh took the all important first innings lead after they made 362. In the second essay, Odisha batters got the much deserved time in the middle before their quarterfinal match as they made 335/4 with Subhranshu Senapati (145), Anurag Sarangi (91), and Govinda Poddar (53 not out) being among the runs. (PTI)
Chandigarh draw with Railways
Chandigarh, Jan 20: Chandigarh secured three points by virtue of fist innings lead from a drawn Ranji Trophy Group D game against Railways after a truncated final day here on Friday. Resuming the fourth day trailing the opponents by 99 runs, Railways made 71 for 1 in 17 overs. Opener Shivam Chaudhary remained not out on 33 while Pratham Singh was unbeaten on 26 when play ended. Another match in the group between Jammu & Kashmir and Tripura in Jammu ended with the first innings remaining unfinished. On Thursday, Punjab and Vidarbha posted wins over defending champion Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat respectively. Also, at Nadaun hosts Himachal Pradesh drew Nagaland. Himachal made 346 and 263/3 declared, while Nagaland replied with 233 and 31/4. (PTI)