Ranji Trophy QF, Day 2 Round-Up: Bengal collapse; Umesh Yadav picks up five-wicket haul

Despite Umesh Yadav’s and Aditya Sarwate’s efforts with the ball, Saurashtra posted a big score of 375, thanks largely to two brilliant centuries by Sheldon Jackson and wicketkeeper Sagar Jogiyani, who endured fiery spell from Yadav. Yadav bowled with a lot of heart and also got his reward as he picked up a five-wicket haul against a formidable Saurashtra side on day 2 of the quarter-final stage of the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy.

His performance helped Vidarbha restrict Saurashtra from taking the run difference any further. In reply to Saurashtra’s 375 in the first innings, Vidarbha were 17/0 at stumps on day 2 in their second innings. Vidarbha still trail by 207 runs.

Brief Scores: Vidarbha 151 & 17/0 (Sharma 6*, Fazal 11*) trail Saurashtra (toss) 375 all out (Jogiyani 130, Jackson 122; Yadav 5/81, Sarwate 4/63) by 207 runs at stumps on day 2 in Vizianagaram.

In Mumbai, the Bengal batting line-up crumbled in front of the Madhya Pradesh bowlers, as they were bowled out for 121 in their first innings in reply to Madhya Pradesh’s 348. It was a very disappointing performance from Bengal, especially after qualifying for the quarter-finals. Veer Pratap Singh’s five-wicket haul went in vain as Bengal were unable to end Madhya Pradesh’s first innings quickly on day 2.

MP are setting up the game nicely and would look to build a big target for Bengal, as they were 14/0 at stumps on day 2 in their second innings with a lead of 241 runs.

Brief Scores: Madhya Pradesh 348 (Ojha 64, Bundela 58; Singh 5/76, Dinda 3/85) & 14/0 lead Bengal (toss) 121 (Easwaran 48, Goswami 22; Pandey 4/45, Datey 3/30) by 241 runs at stumps on day 2 in Mumbai.

Mumbai went on to score a massive 416 in their first innings against Jharkhand in Mysore. Captain Abhishek Nayar’s valiant 74 guided Mumbai towards this big total. In reply, Jharkhand did not have a good start and were unable to build a big partnership as they were 150/8 at stumps on day 2.

Mumbai’s first innings batting hero Akhil Herwadkar continued to perform, this time with the ball, as he picked up three important wickets along with spinner Iqbal Abdulla. Jharkhand trail Mumbai by 266 runs at stumps day 2.

Brief Scores: Jharkhand 150/8 (Singh 39, K. Singh 22; Herwadkar 3/26, Abdulla 3/39) trail Mumbai (toss) 416 (Nayar 74, Abdulla 33; Nadeem 5/140) by 266 runs at stumps on day 2 in Mysore.

Punjab endured a massive batting collapse in their first innings against Assam as they were bowled out for 137 while replying to Assam’s first innings total of 323. Only Mayank Sidhana was able to handle the Assam bowlers with a fighting knock of 80.

In their second innings, Assam also suffered a batting slump as they were 23/4 at stumps on day 2, courtesy Barinder Sran’s three-wicket haul.

Brief Scores: Assam 323 & 23/4 (Hazarika 9*, Sharma 8; Sran 3/11, Kaul 1/4) lead Punjab (toss) 137 (Sidhana 80, Kaul 25; Das 3/41, K.Das 3/54) by 209 runs at stumps on day 2 in Valsad.