Ranji Trophy Quarters: Madhya Pradesh recover after early blows
Naman Ojha scored a fifty against Bengal in the quarter-final match. (Source: Reuters)
Madhya Pradesh recovered from the loss of two cheap wickets to advance to 254 for 4 at stumps on the first day of their five-day Ranji Trophy quarter final against Bengal at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Half centuries from opener Aditya Shrivastava (65), Naman Ojha (64) and no. 6 Harpreet Singh Bhatia (51 not out) and an unconquered 42 not out from experienced campaigner and skipper Devendra Bundela pulled the MP innings around from 39 for 2.
A century partnership of 102 for the third wicket between Shrivastava and Ojha steadied the innings and then an unbeaten stand of 92 between Bundela and Bhatia consolidated MP’s position after they were asked to bat first by Bengal skipper Manoj Tiwary on a track with a tinge of green on it.
Brief scores: Madhya Pradesh 254 for 4 (Aditya Shrivastava 65, Naman Ojha 64, Devendra Bundela not out 42, Harpreet Singh Bhatia 51 not out; Veerpratap Singh 2 for 55) v Bengal.
Unadkat takes five-for
Saurashtra took firm control as India discard Jaydev Unadkat grabbed a five-wicket haul to skittle out Vidarbha for a paltry 151 on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final.
After Unadkat’s 5/70 saw Subramanium Badrinath’s side being bowled out in just 50.4 overs, Saurashtra batted cautiously to end the day at 70 for one in 30 overs.
Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara Pujara looked in good touch as he remained unbeaten on 45 from 71 balls with nine boundaries to his credit.
