Ranji Trophy: Odisha Pacers Force Group Toppers Bengal To Follow On

Kolkata: Odisha may not have had a dazzling Ranji Trophy season, but they enjoyed an extremely satisfying penultimate day in their final Elite Group A match against Bengal.

Having rallied to post 265 in their first innings at Eden Gardens, Odisha bowled out group toppers Bengal for a measly 100 and enforced the follow-on.

The hosts did much better in their second innings, erasing the 165-run deficit to reach 220/3 at stumps on Thursday.

Starting the day at 39/2, Bengal were in trouble after overnight batter Pritam Chakraborty was run out in the day’s second over. Suryakant Pradhan and Sunil Roul bagged 3 wickets each to bowl out Bengal – who have already qualified for the knockout stage – in 35.5 overs.

Basant Mohanty made an early breakthrough in Bengal’s second innings, but then skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran took charge to ensure there won’t be second successive collapse with an unbeaten 94.

Easwaran added 82 runs with Sudip Gharami (50) for the second wicket and an unbeaten 103 for the fourth wicket with Manoj Tiwary.

Brief scores: Odisha 265. Bengal 100 (Sunil Roul 3/19, Suryakant Pradhan 3/45) and (following on) 220/3 (Abhimanyu Easwaran 94 batting, Sudip Gahrami 50, Manoj Tiwary 50 batting; Sunil Roul 2/55).

Match to continue.