Bihar firmly in the ascendancy over Tripura

Bihar were in firm control of their East Zone Ranji Trophy match against Tripura at the Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur after Nikhilesh Ranjan and Tariquer Rehman compiled an unbroken 161 run second wicket stand. The hosts finished the day at 212/1 in reply to Tripura's meagre effort of 236.

Earlier in the morning, Tripura added 23 more runs, losing their last two wickets in the process. Mihir Diwakar and Dheeraj Kumar scalped three wickets apiece for Bihar. In reply, host team opener MS Dhoni struck a rapid 39 off 41 deliveries before departing into the dressing room. Ranjan and Rehman played out the almost 67 overs that remained as Bengal closed the day just 24 behind on first innings with nine wickets in hand. Ranjan's patient 84 was struck off 263 balls, featuring eight fours. Rehman was slightly the more enterprising, collecting 71 off 183 balls, six of which he despatched to the fence.