Bengal Dominates Andhra to Secure Ranji Trophy Semifinal Berth
In a commanding display of cricketing prowess, Bengal stormed into the semifinals of the prestigious Ranji Trophy with a resounding innings and 90-run victory over Andhra on Tuesday. The one-sided contest was decisively shaped by Sudip Kumar Gharami's monumental knock of 299 runs, which laid the foundation for Bengal's massive first-innings total of 629.
Final Day Sees Swift Conclusion as Andhra Collapses
Andhra resumed their second innings on the final day at 64 for three, already facing a daunting deficit of 334 runs after Bengal's dominant batting performance on Day 4. With the pitch offering increasing assistance to the bowlers and time running out, Bengal needed only patience and disciplined bowling to wrap up the match.
Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed emerged as the hero for Bengal, exploiting the wearing surface to break Andhra's resistance. He delivered a decisive spell, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 72. Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal provided crucial support with two wickets, while Akash Deep, Sumanta Gupta, and Anustup Majumdar each claimed one wicket.
Key Performances and Notable Absences
For Andhra, Nitish Kumar Reddy stood tall amid the collapse, displaying remarkable resolve with a gritty innings of 90 runs off 144 balls. His knock included seven boundaries and two sixes, offering a brief glimmer of hope. However, the team needed a substantial partnership between Reddy and skipper Ricky Bhui to force Bengal to bat again, chasing 270 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
Bhui was dismissed by Shahbaz Ahmed after adding only 12 runs to his overnight tally, effectively ending Andhra's resistance. Shahbaz soon accounted for Saurabh Kumar before removing Reddy to complete his fine spell. Tripurana Vijay scored 46 and Kalidindi Raju added 25, but their efforts merely postponed the inevitable as Sumanta Gupta dismissed Vijay to seal Bengal's emphatic victory.
Notably, wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat did not take the field due to injury, further weakening Andhra's lineup. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami, currently out of favor at the international level, bowled just three overs in Andhra's second innings after contributing with the bat in Bengal's first innings.
Looking Ahead to the Semifinals
With this comprehensive win, Bengal has set up a semifinal clash against Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled to begin on February 15. The other semifinal will feature Karnataka locking horns with Uttarakhand, promising exciting cricket action in the coming days.
This victory underscores Bengal's strength in domestic cricket, with both batting and bowling units firing in unison. The team's ability to capitalize on key moments and maintain pressure throughout the match highlights their championship credentials as they advance in the Ranji Trophy tournament.
