Akash Deep puts Bengal in command vs MP
INDORE, Feb 10 : Bengal pacer Akash Deep bowled a game-changing spell en route to a five-wicket haul to put his team in the driver’s seat against defending champions Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy semifinal here on Friday.Akash Deep (5/42) , who played a key role in their win over Jharkhand in the quarterfinals, rattled Madhya Pradesh’s recovery act led by overnight batter Saransh Jain (65), claiming two wickets in two balls. Bengal took a huge first innings lead of 268 runs but skipper Manoj Tiwary did not enforce follow-on.Bengal ended the third day on 59 for 2, with an overall lead of 327 runs to inch closer to the final. The two-time Ranji champions last reached the final in 2020 where they lost to Saurashtra.Bengal are yet to win the Ranji Trophy since 1989-90.(PTI)
Jackson, Vasavada tons turn it around for Saurashtra
BENGALURU, Feb 10: Sheldon Jackson and skipper Arpit Vasavada struck a century each as Saurashtra turned the tables on Karnataka, posting 364 for 4 in their first innings in reply to the opposition’s 407 on the third day of their Ranji Trophy semi-final here on Friday. Jackson, who started at the overnight score of 27, made 160 off 245 balls and decorated his knock with 23 boundaries and two sixes, while Vasavada remained unbeaten on 112 (219 balls, 15x4s) as the duo shared 232 runs for the fourth wicket to bring Saurashtra back into the contest Saurashtra trail Karnataka by just 43 runs with six wickets in hands and two full days’ play remaining. (PTI)