Ranji: MP take vital lead over Bengal

Gwalior, Nov 12 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh took a vital 68-run lead against Bengal as the hosts were all out for 278 in their first innings in reply to the visitors' 210 all out on the penultimate day of a four-day Plate Group 'B' Ranji Trophy encounter at Captain Roop Singh Stadium here.

Bengal were 126/4 in their second knock at stumps with Abhik Chowdhury (45) and Bardhaman Shah (50) at the crease. Madhya Pradesh's medium-pacer Shantanu Pitre ran through the Bengal innings picking up 3 wickets while Sanjay Pande got another.

Earlier resuming at an overnight score of 178/5, Madhya Pradesh skipper Rishikesh Kanitkar (overnight 76 not out) failed to add to his score but his partner Brajesh Tomar (overnight 51 n o) put up some resistance before being dismissed for 62.

After the duo's departure, tail-enders Jalaj Saxena and Pitre steadied the hosts' innings. While Saxena struck a useful half-century with the help of 7 boundaries, Pitre contributed 26, hitting the rope four times.

Bengal's medium-pacer Ashok Dinda returned with a 5-wicket haul while Ranadeb Bose and Chowdhury scalped two batsmen each.

Brief scores: Bengal (1st innings) 210 all out Madhya Pradesh (1st innings) 278 all out (R Kanitkar 76, B Tomar 62, J Saxena 50) Bengal (2nd innings) 126/4 (A Chowdhury 45 n o, B Shah 50 n o) UNI XC-BDG AC 2025