Dasgupta and Shukla put Bengal ahead
Bengal, helped by excellent hundreds from Deep Dasgupta and Laxmi Ratan Shukla, extended their first innings lead to 276 against Baroda on day three of the Ranji Trophy semi-finals at Kolkata
Bengal 517 for 6 (Dasgupta 171, Shukla 137*) lead Baroda 241 by 276 runs
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For Bengal it was imperative that they gained a substantial lead, as there was always the possibility that they would have to bat last on a pitch that could crumble as the match progresses. Unlike the first two days, where the first hour saw two wickets fall, today's first session was dominated by the bat. At the forefront of Bengal's surge was Dasgupta, who carried on his good work yesterday in defying anything bowled at him, running the singles well, and proving why he has been such a worthy performer for Bengal over the past four seasons. Dasgupta, whose previous hundred came against Gujarat in December, produced a definitive innings under trying circumstances, and it should provide inspiration for his team-mates.
It certainly did for Shukla, whose unbeaten 137 was an innings of determination. Shukla has been a talent talked about for some time now - after making his Ranji Trophy debut for Bengal in the 1997-98 season, he hit a match-winning century as an opener in the Wills Trophy semi-final against Delhi in the next - and was seen as future India material. But a dip in consistency and a reported attitude problem has seen his name sidelined when it comes to national selection matters. Bringing up his second fifty of the season in the morning, in 190 minutes and from 155 deliveries, Shukla provided a glimpse of his potential once again.
By lunch the two batsmen had extended their partnership to 138, with Bengal on 329 for 5, a lead of 88. Upon return to the middle, Dasgupta was the first to reach three figures; close on the heels of his senior partner, Shukla brought up his own hundred in emphatic fashion, launching Yusuf Pathan into the stands for six. The duo went from strength to strength, and as the partnership swelled past 250 just before tea, Baroda would have been looking for inspiration of their own. In the absence of Zaheer Khan, away on national duty in Pakistan, Baroda's bowling attack lacked penetration. There was very little of note in the bowling today, and the spin attack comprising of Rajesh Pawar and Pathan bowled well only in spells and never looked threatening.
Commenting on his maiden Ranji Trophy hundred, Shukla was pleased that it came at such a vital time for his team. "I batted the way the team wanted me to perform. I tried to restrict my shots and play according to the situation," he said to The Telegraph. "I wasn't getting the starts this season and I was determined to make most of this match. In the last two years, I have been dismissed ten times in the 80s."
Even though Dasgupta fell just before stumps, caught behind by Pinal Shah off Shekhar Joshi's medium pace, the touring side still face the daunting task of chasing a large total on the final day. Baroda, under the tutelage of Balwinder Singh Sandhu, the former Indian fast bowler, have done exceedingly well for the last two seasons, missing out on the semi-finals last season only on a poor run quotient. After today's play, however, it was clear that their weaknesses outweigh their strengths.
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