Ranji Trophy 2017-18: Brilliant spells from Amit & Porel put Bengal in driver’s seat against Gujarat

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B Amit took three crucial wickets for Bengal today. Image Source: Facebook

Internet Desk: Brillant bowling performances from B Amit and Ishan Porel put Bengal on top against the defending champions Gujarat as they are tottering at 180 for 6 at the end of day 2 of the quarterfinals of Ranji Trophy in reply to Bengal’s 354 runs.

Earlier at the start of day 2 Bengal resumed at 261 for 6 and reached 354 thanks to some brilliant batting from Aamir Gani (49) and B Amit (36). They both added crucial 62 runs for the seventh wicket to help Bengal to cross 350-run mark. In reply, Guajarat lost their opener Amit Gohel on a duck in the very first over, thanks to a brilliant bowling from Bengal’s veteran pacer Ashoke Dinda. Young teenage sensation took the precious wicket of Priyank Panchal (4) with a plum leg before wicket to reduce Gujarat to 17 for 2. Though the defending champions fought back in style thanks to a brilliant batting by their skipper Parthiv Patel and Bhargav Merai. They both added 107 runs for their side for the fourth wicket. At one stage they were at 124 for 2 and the partnership was looking more and more vulnerable. But again Porel became the savior for Bengal as he took the most important wicket of Parthiv (46) to break the partnership. After that B Amit bowled a magical spell to get the wickets of Bhargav Merai (67), Manpreet Juneja (10) and and Chirag Gandhi (4) in quick succession. At the end of day’s play Piyush Chawla (22*) is at the crease along with Rujul Bhatt (13).

On being asked about his brilliant spell, Amit said, “After lunch (Ashok) Dinda da, Ishan (Porel) and myself decided to bowl in partnerships. One side restricts runs and takes maiden and form the other side the other bowler dives for wickets. We dried up the runs and results showed”.

“The wicket is hard and sporty. If you bend your back you will get wickets. There is good carry. Tomorrow the first hour is crucial. We need to take two wickets at least in that time,” concluded Amit.

Manoj Tiwary and Co. would be eyeing to get the Gujarat tail as early as possible on day 3 and post a big total on board to qualify for the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy.

In another match, Vidarbha came back with two wickets after being bowled out for 246 on the second day of their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match against Kerala.

Overnight 45 for three, Vidarbha lost wickets at almost regular intervals, and wicketkeeper Akshay Wadkar top-scored with 53 off 147 balls. He struck seven boundaries during his stay in the middle.

In another encounter, Karnataka took control of their Ranji Trophy quarter final against Mumbai by taking a commanding 222-run lead over the 41-time champions on day two of the five-day game at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha.

Half centuries by opener Mayank Agarwal, M Kaunain Abbas, C M Gautam and Shreyas Gopal helped Karnataka to the dominating position as they closed out the day at 395 for 6 in 122 overs with Shreyas Gopal unbeaten on 80 off 151 balls along with skipper R Vinay Kumar (31 not out).

Brief scores

Bengal: 354 (Abhimanyu Eswaran 129, Anustup Majumdar 94, Aamir Gani 49; Ishwar Choudhary 5 for 87, Chintan Gaja 3 for 93) lead Gujarat 180 for 6 (Bhargav Merai 67, Parthiv Patel 47; Boddupalli Amit 3 for 46) by 174 runs.

Vidarbha: 1st innings, 246 all out in 105.3 overs (Akshay Wadkar 53; K C Akshay 5/66).

Kerala 1st innings: 32 for two in 7 overs.