Ranji Trophy: Bengal thrash Delhi, Desai powers Gujarat to big win over Odisha

Bengal opened their Ranji Trophy Group C campaign with a convincing nine-wicket victory over Delhi on Wednesday, wrapping up the match on the final day after restricting their opponents to 277 in the second innings. The hosts needed just 89 runs for victory and completed the chase with minimal fuss.

Delhi resumed the day at 101 for three but could only manage 277 in 106.2 overs. Captain Ayush Badoni led the fightback with 85 off 134 balls, hitting 10 boundaries, while wicketkeeper-batter Anuj Rawat added 39 from 76 deliveries.

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Bengal had established a commanding position in the match by scoring 429 in their first innings in response to Delhi's 240. Their bowlers ensured that the visitors could not produce a substantial recovery, leaving the hosts with a modest target.

Delhi had been reduced to 59 for three before Badoni and Rawat joined forces to steady the innings. However, Aamir Gani broke the partnership by dismissing Rawat, who made 39, while Sumanta Gupta sent Yash Dhull back to the pavilion for 22.

Badoni continued to resist as wickets fell around him, but his innings ended at 85 when Pradipta Pramanik had him caught by Abhimanyu Easwaran. Delhi were then 213 for six, and their hopes of setting Bengal a competitive target faded further with the quick dismissals of Dev Lakra, who scored 13, and Hrithik Shokeen, who managed eight.

Divij Mehra chipped in with 21 off 28 balls, while Navdeep Saini remained unbeaten on 20 as Delhi were eventually bowled out.

Pramanik led Bengal's attack with three wickets, while Gani and Gupta picked up two apiece. Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar took one wicket each.

Bengal made light work of the 89-run target, reaching 89 for one in only 15.3 overs. Ankur Paul provided an attacking start with 38 off 41 balls, including two fours and a six, before being dismissed. Easwaran stayed unbeaten on 34 from 40 deliveries, while Sudip Gharami, who had scored a century in the first innings, contributed an unbeaten 16 off 12 balls to complete the win.

GUJARAT CRUSH ODISHA BY 10 WICKETS

Gujarat also began their Group C campaign in style, registering a dominant 10-wicket victory over Odisha in Ahmedabad to collect a bonus point.

Odisha, who resumed their second innings at 119 for four, struggled against left-arm spinner Siddharth Desai, who dismantled their batting line-up with figures of 5 for 36. They were dismissed for 161 in 46.1 overs, leaving Gujarat with a target of just 47 runs.

The hosts, playing their first match of the season under coach Monty Desai, needed only 9.3 overs to reach the target without losing a wicket.

Sandeep Pattnaik was Odisha's leading scorer with 65, while Ninad Rathva made 53. However, the rest of the batting order failed to offer sustained resistance as Desai claimed his 16th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

Left-arm pacer Arzan Nagwaswalla also played a key role in Gujarat's triumph, finishing the match with six wickets, including three for 33 in Odisha's second innings.

JHARKHAND, KERALA SHARE POINTS

The Group C encounter between Jharkhand and Kerala in Jamshedpur ended in a draw, with Jharkhand securing three points after taking the first-innings lead.

Jharkhand all-rounder Utkarsh Singh was named Player of the Match following an impressive all-round display. He scored 71 runs and claimed five wickets during the contest.

MAHARASHTRA WIN BIG

Meanwhile, Maharashtra secured a 127-run victory over Services in another Group C fixture played in Delhi. On the final day of the match in Delhi, it was Vicky Ostwal who spun a web around Services, picking up five wickets for 50 runs.

Ostwal received support from Siddhesh Veer and Hitesh Walunj, who picked up three and two wickets each as Services were bundled out for 120 in the second innings while chasing a target of 248 runs.