Mumbai take firm grip against Bengal

Calcutta, March 15: Mumbai, took a stranglehold in their match against Bengal on the third day of their Ranji Trophy encounter here today. Chasing a victory target of 380 in their second innings, Bengal were 67 for the loss of four wickets at stumps. It would now take a superhuman effort on the part of the remaining batsmen to bat out the entire day tomorrow on a pitch that is helping the bowlers.

Bengal have themselves to blame for such a position now. Losing the match outright would mean the failure to add anything to their tally of 13 points. A situation they are facing because of a decision to play on an under-prepared wicket. It means that Karnataka who have 11 points will be able to make it to last eight stage even if they fail to get the first innings lead against Delhi. They would get three points which would be sufficient enough to take their tally to 14 and pip Bengal to the second spot in the group. The Bengal think tank should have realised that on a pitch that would help bowlers, the Mumbai team would be better off as they have more variety in their attack.

It was the day of Romesh Powar. The 21-year old playing in his second Ranji Trophy match blasted the Bengal attack after they had done well to reduce Mumbai to 172 for six at lunch. Powar, in a 77-ball blitz, raced to 92 then finally put the match out of Bengal's reach. He hit 14 boundaries and six over midwicket of Sourashis Lahiri and looked a strong player of the back foot. In the process he added 104 runs for the eighth wicket with Rajesh Pawar who scored 30. The latter was finally dismissed by Lakshmi Ratan Shukla who had the batsman caught behind. Powar on the other hand fell trying to force the pace. He tried to cut the other Bengal medium pacer Abdul Masood only to be caught by Chatterjee at point.

For Bengal Vishal Yadav finished with four wickets, while Shukla, Masood and off-spinner Sourashis Lahiri finished with two apiece. When Bengal batted, it was Powar's turn to strike with the ball. He dismissed the first three Bengal batsmen mixing up his off-spin with the one that straightens up. Deep Dasgupta and Devang Gandhi both failed to read it and were caught plumb in front. Bothe however, made the cardinal sin of going on to the back foot on a pitch where the ball kept low. Powar then tempted Shukla into a drive. The batsman failed to keep the ball down and was caught by the bowler himself. At the period, Powar spell was 8-2-15-3. The other wicket went to Rajesh Pawar, who had Srikkanth Kalyani leg before. At stumps Saba karim and Rohan Gavaskar on seven apiece were trying to save a match that had already slipped from their grasp.