Ranji Trophy 2018-19, Elite Group B, Day 3: Andhra take first-innings lead vs Bengal

Half-centuries from CR Gnaneshwar, Srikar Bharat and Ricky Bhui helped Andhra secure a vital first-innings lead over Bengal in their Elite Group B. round 7 clash of the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 in Visakhapatnam.

On Monday, Mukesh Kumar (3/45) and Pradipta Pramanik (3/69) bowled their hearts out to bring Bengal closer to taking lead when they had reduced Andhra to 290/8, still trailing by 10 runs.

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But Prithvi Raj Yarra (12) and KV Sasikanth (10*) managed to successfully negotiate the bowlers, wiping off the arrears and pushing the score to 312 before being separated.

Yarra became Mukesh’s third victim as the hosts finished the day at 321/9, with a lead of 21 runs.

Gnaneshwar, resumed the innings at 64 on Day 3 but added two more to his overnight tally before being dismissed by Ishan Porel.

Despite losing wickets regularly, Andhra managed to stitch together handy partnerships which kept taking them closer to Bengal’s first innings total of 300. Bharat struck 61 off 93 before Ricky Bhui stonewalled with 52 off 146 to prevent a collapse.

Brief Scores: Andhra 321/9 (CR Gnaneshwar 66, Srikar Bharat 61; Mukesh Kumar 3/45) lead Bengal 300 by 21 runs