Cuttack: Bengal are certain to make into the semifinals after an unassailable lead against Odisha on the penultimate day of the five-day Ranji Trophy quarterfinal at DRIEMS Ground here on Sunday.
Resuming their overnight score at 79 for 2, Bengal lost the wicket of Manoj Tiwari who was trapped leg before to Debabrata Pradhan for 6. Anustup Mazumdar, who was instrumental in giving his team a vital lead over Odisha with a magnificent century in the first innings, could not stay long at the crease and fell to Govind Poddar for just 10 runs.
However, Abhishek Kumar Raman (67) and wicketkeeper Shreevats Goswami (78) took the game away from Odisha with a 102-run partnership.
Besides, a fine unbeaten half century by Shahbaz (52) and Arnab Nandi (45) put the visitors in command. At close, Bengal were 361 for 7 with an overall lead of 443 runs.
With Monday being the last day, Odisha have slim chances of chasing the target the visitors are likely to put up on the board with still three wickets in hand.
Brief score: Bengal: 332 and 361 for 7
Odisha: 250
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