Abishek Porel (Image credit: CAB)
KALYANI: Bengal perhaps missed a chance to put up enough pressure on Delhi by being bowled out for 429 runs just after the lunch interval on Day III of their Elite Group ‘C’ Ranji Trophy match here on Tuesday. However, the visitors still have a job at hand as they lie 88 runs in arrears after being reduced to 101/3 at stumps on the penultimate day. But the 229-run fourth-wicket stand between the two came to an end in the very next over when Gharami was trapped in front by pacer Divij Mehra for 133. Shokeen, however, made amends by picking up the prized wicket of Porel when the left-hander offered an easy chance to Sanat Sangwan at forward shot-leg to fall for a well-made 149 runs.
In the 19 overs that Delhi faced in the second session of play, only 27 runs were scored. Things could have been worse for Delhi had Sudip Chatterjee held on to a catch offered by opener Sarthak Ranjan in the third over of their second innings being bowled by Shami. For some strange reason Delhi batters went into a shell thereafter as runs completely dried up.