Four-Star Ashoke Dinda Wreaks Havoc on Assam

Senior speedster Ashoke Dinda wreaked havoc against Assam with a devastating two-over spell taking four wickets without conceding a run as Bengal took complete control of their final Ranji Trophy group league encounter in Guwahati. (Read More in Cricket)

After putting up a commendable first innings score of 444 for six, riding on Shreevats Goswami's (112) maiden first-class ton and Pankaj Shaw's well-compiled 99, Bengal send Assam reeling at 1/4 in four overs with another 290 runs required to avoid follow-on.

Dinda's astonishing figures read 2-2-0-4. The 31-year-old veteran also completed a personal milestone of 300 first-class wickets today -- only second pace bowler from the state after current bowling coach Ranadeb Bose (317) to accomplish the feat. This is his 85th first-class match.

Dinda's 300th victim was rival captain Gokul Sharma (0), who edged one to Shreevats behind stumps. This was after he dismissed opener Pallavkumar Das (0) with the very first delivery of the Assam innings caught by Abhimanyu Easwaran.

With the first ball off his second over, he got rid of Rahul Hazarika (1) with a fuller delivery and then with the last ball of his second over cleaned up nightwatchman Arup Das (0) to send Assam packing 1/4.

Earlier, the highlight of the Bengal innings was the 174 run partnership for the sixth wicket between Goswami and Pankaj Shaw (99), who was unlucky to miss out on a ton on his maiden hundred. This is his fourth half-century of the season as he got a debatable leg-before decision off left-arm spinner J Syed Mohammed's bowling.

Goswami, who had an indifferent start to the season played 253 balls hitting 11 boundaries while Shaw's four hour effort had 10 fours and a six off 189 balls.

Brief Scores: Bengal 1st Innings 444/6 declared (Shreevats Goswami 112, Pankaj Shaw 99, Sayan Sekhar Mondal 87, Sudeep Chatterjee 65)

Assam 1st Innings 1/4 (Ashoke Dinda 4/0).