Ranadeb's fiver restricts Maharashtra to 179

Pune:

Pacer Ranadeb Bose shone with a five-wicket haul as Bengal bundled out Maharashtra for 179 on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Super League Group B match here on Tuesday.

Bose (5/67) ripped through Maharashtra top order removing Harshad Khadiwale (8), Rohan Bhosale (5), Ameya Shrikhande (9), Kedar Jhadhav (12) as the home team, who opted to bat, were reduced to 53 for four.

Maharashtra never recovered from the early collapse. Sangram Atitkar (44) and Azhar Ansari (52) made a late fightback but that was not enough as Maharashtra folded for 179 in 61.2 overs.

Ansari was the last Maharashtra batsman to depart, becoming the fifth victim for Bose.

For Bengal, paceman Ashok Dinda chipped in with three wickets, conceding 65 runs from his 16 overs while Shibsagar Singh took two Maharashtra wickets for 12 runs.

Bengal were 52 for two at the draw of stumps with Wriddhiman Saha and Manoj Tiwary batting at 10 and 3, respectively.

Opener Deep Dasgupta was out cheaply for one while Arindam Das made 38 before he fell to Ansari.

Maharashtra first innings: 179 all out in 61.2 overs (Azhar Ansari 52; Sangram Atitkar 44: Ranadeb Bose 5/67, Ashok Dinda 3/65).

Bengal first innings: 52 for 2 in 28 overs (Arindam Das 38).