Bengal get 3 points, Gambhir skips batting

Putting aside on Saturday’s skirmish with rival captain Gautam Gambhir, Manoj Tiwary led from the front with a patient 97 to ensure that Bengal pocket three points by virtue of first innings lead against Delhi in their drawn Ranji Trophy Group A match, here on Sunday.

Tiwary focussed on his game as Bengal scored 217 for four in their second essay after being precariously placed at 29/3 at one point.

A target of 326 in 44 overs was unachievable as Delhi were 161 for 4 when it was decided that match would be called off. Debutant Rishabh Pant scored an attractive 57.

Delhi skipper Gambhir didn’t come out to bat as he attended the selection meeting when the match was on. In fact, the bad blood between the two teams was evident as Delhi continued batting during mandatory overs knowing that match was dead as contest. Bengal started the day at 47 for three, with Manoj in company of nightwatchman Aamir Gani (62) and the duo added 144 runs for 4th wicket.

The former India U-19 cricketer showed maturity beyond his age as his well compiled knock was a big reason for Bengal keeping their three points intact.

While Manoj faced 199 balls to hit 97 with 11 fours and a six, Gani consumed 142 balls hitting eight boundaries and a six. More importantly the gutsy youngster batted for three hours and quarter to shut Delhi out of competition.

The fate of the match was sealed when Manoj and Gani saw off the first hour during which Unmukt dropped Gani. However as his captain gave confidence, he started playing shots including cover drives and sweeps. Manoj on the other hand took on left-arm spinner Manan Sharma completing his half-century with a huge six. However the loudest cheer from dressing room was reserved for Gani, who completed his 50 with a single.

Nagpur: Faiz Fazal (63) and Wasim Jaffer (71) shared an 124-run opening partnership to steer Vidarbha to a three-wicket victory over Assam on the fourth and final day of their Group A Ranji Trophy cricket match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium here on Sunday. Chasing 213 to win, Vidarbha resumed their second innings at 88 for no loss as Fazal and Jaffer continued their good work and notched up their individual half-centuries. Syed Mohammad dismissed Jaffer in the 44th over, while Amit Verma removed Fazal at the 150-mark in the 57th over. Jaffer had eight boundaries in his 119-ball innings, while Fazal hit just three fours during his stay. Ganesh Satish (17) and skipper S Badrinath (37) then took Vidarbha to the 200-mark but S Purkayastha then came up with twin strikes to dismiss both the batsmen in the 70th over.