ASSAM : Bengal earned a crucial first innings lead of 301 runs against Assam at Barsapara . The lead ensured Manoj Tiwari and his team earning valuable three points , thereby confirming Bengal’s entry into the knockout stages . The hosts were enforced a follow-on by Bengal captain Manoj Tiwari after being bowled out for 143 in 54.4 overs . Assam in their second innings are 72/2 at stumps on Day 3 . Bengal will look to get the remaining 8 wickets quickly for an outright win to top Group A .
The hosts were tottering at 1/4 after Day 2 , failing to counter a lethal spell from Ashoke Dinda . Bengal started Day 3 on a bright note with Pragyan Ojha giving the 1st breakthrough in the morning by removing Amit Verma caught by Abhimanyu. Arun Karthick who was the only hope for Assam too perished after facing 43 balls . Fast bowler Mukesh Kumar who made his debut for Bengal in this season rattled the stumps of in form Karthick. Assam somehow recovered after a 7th wicket partnership from Tarjinder Singh and Syed Mohammed. The pair added a crucial 59 runs. Both of them managed to hold their nerves and played strokes all around the ground. Pragyan Ojha finally broke the partnership by dismissing Mohammed for 31 runs.At the other end Tarjinder Singh was on his way to his half century.
Bengal finally got the breakthrough and it was Ojha again doing the tricks . The left arm spinner removed Tarjinder Singh for a well made 50 leaving Assam reeling at 139 for 8. It was Ojha’s third victim of the match . The India discard have been in a devastating form right through out this season. He was one of the main architect of Bengal’s brilliant run so far in Ranji picking up 32 wickets so far . Mukesh Kumar finished off the tail picking the wickets of Wasigur Rahman and Amit Sinha . Assam were bowled out for 143 in 54.4 giving Bengal a healthy first innings lead of 301 runs with more than a day left.
The Assam wickets were shared between Ashok Dinda, Mukesh Kumar and Pragyan Ohja.
Brief score : Bengal 1st innings : 444/6 decl . Krishna Das 94/2
Assam 1st innings :143 all out Tarjinder Singh 50 Dinda 39/4 , Mukesh Kumar 20/3 and Ojha 33/3
Assam 2nd innings : 72/2 . Aamir Gani 34/2