Ranji Trophy 2022-23: Bengal vs Baroda | Resistance from Baroda batters pushes Bengal bowlers to the limit

On match day five of Ranji Trophy 2022-23, Bengal took on Baroda to continue their unbeaten run this season. Manoj Tiwary-led Bengal looked like a better side on paper as the pace trio of Mukesh Kumar, Ishan Porel and Akashdeep was back for Bengal. Baroda captain Vinshu Solanki won the toss and chose to bat in Kalyani where the pitch had a tad greenish layer on the top.

Bengal started very well as Mukesh Kumar got an early wicket of Pratyush Kumar. Abishek Porel accepted the catch down the line to start the game on a great note. But, post that, things did not go according to plan for Bengal.

Opener Jyotsnil Singh and Priyanshu Moliya put up a 90-run partnership for the second wicket to ensure the visiting team has the last laugh at the end of the first inning. At lunch, Baroda were 83/1 with both the batters looking strong. For Bengal, Sayan Shekhar Mondal bowled a more prolonged spell while Mukesh was tight on line and length. But, Akashdeep leaked some runs at the end of the session to ruin it for them.

Post lunch it was all about Ishan Porel and Mukesh Kumar for Bengal. Sudip Gharami dropped Jyotsnil Singh on 39 from Ishan Porel. However, Abhishek Das and Abishek Porel took two stunning catches to redeem Bengal. Both times, Mukesh Kumar was the bowler to enforce the edges. Before that Priyanshu Moliya perished from an outside off-stump delivery from Akashdeep after completing his fifty.

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Bengal finished the second session with a high with three wickets from pacers. However, opener Jyotsnil Singh was still there guiding his team. Soon after tea, he completed his fifty as well.

Post tea Akashdeep ran through the Baroda lower middle order. The medium pacer first edged Ninad Rathva for a caught behind to Abishek Porel and then two balls later cleaned bowled Mitesh Patel in the same over.

But, Baroda had another fight left in them. Jyotsnil and Mahesh Pithiya put up 51 runs partnership for the seventh wicket to frustrate the Bengal bowlers. Late in the day Akashdeep was finally able to put an end to Jyotsnil's inning via LBW. The opener's inning lasted 217 balls as he scored a fighting 85 for his team in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23.

Baroda finished the day at 222/7 with Mahesh Pithiya and Soyeb Soparia at the crease.