Bengal qualify for Semi-Finals of Ranji Trophy

Bengaluru: Bengal qualified for the 2020-21 Ranji Trophy semifinals based on the first-innings lead after their quarterfinal match against Jharkhand ended in a draw on the fifth and final day, here on Friday. The possibility of a result ended when Bengal decided to bat a second time on the fourth day despite a lead of 475 runs. The play ended early on the final day when Bengal were 318 for 7 in their second innings and both teams decided to shake hands.

Manoj Tiwary's innings of 136 on the inconsequential fifth day was a big positive for Bengal ahead of their semifinal. Tiwary, who is also a minister in the West Bengal government, had also scored 73 in the first innings. Apart from him, there were valuable contributions from other Bengal batters such as Shahbaz Ahmed (46), Anustup Majumdar (38) and Abhishek Porel (34).

On the other hand, Shahbaz Nadeem (175 for 2 and 59 for 5) was the lone bright spot in Jharkhand's bowling across two innings. And with the bat, Virat Singh's was a one-man show as he hit an unbeaten 113 the only time Jharkhand batted.

Brief Score: Bengal 773 for 7 decl. and 318 for 7 decl. (Tiwary 136, Nadeem 5-59) drew with Jharkhand 298 (Virat 113 not out, Siddiqui 53, Shahbaz Ahmed 4-51, Mondal 4-71) - Bengal qualify for semifinals based on first-innings lead.

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