Bihar enter Cooch Behar final

Bihar, on the basis of their first innings lead of 140 runs, entered the final of the Cooch Behar Trophy (under-19) tournament at the Keenan stadium in Jamshedpur on Tuesday. Delhi, who were 115 for two in reply to Bihar's first innings total of 398, were all out for 258. In the remaining time, Bihar scored 56 for the loss of two wickets.

Delhi were in the running when they were 226 for five but they lost their last five wickets for 32 runs. The overnight batsmen G Gambhir and P Chawla continued to bat confidently and took their third wicket association to 116 runs off 35.2 overs. Chawla was then out for 56 for which he faced 111 balls and hit nine fours. Gambhir was fourth out at 159 for 81. He faced 18 balls and hit 13 fours. A fifth wicket fell at 163 but then Delhi's hopes were raised by a sixth wicket partnership of 63 runs from 33 overs between skipper R Gupta and V Razdan (35). However, once Razdan fell, the tail offered little resistance. But Gupta however stood firm and was unbeaten with 57 when the innings came to an end. He faced 175 balls and had four hits to the ropes. Diwakar and Vikash Kumar took four wickets each. The rest of the match was a formality.

Bihar will now meet Punjab in the three day final commencing on December 16.