Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Rajasthan skipper Ajay Jadeja had admitted after yesterday8217;s play that it was just a matter of time before the match winded up. His fears came true today, as Bengal tightened the noose further on the hapless Rajasthan outfit after the third day8217;s play of the Elite B Ranji Trophy match. And with the dominating show, Bengal inched closer to sealing the top spot in the group and the semi-final berth.
Even as Sourav Ganguly hogged the limelight for the second day in a row, finishing with a breezy 122 at Eden Gardens, the Bengal batsmen furthered the visitors8217; agony by piling a huge 390-run first innings lead, thanks largely to Manoj Tewari, who top-scored with 181.
8220;Hopefully, in another session and a half we will wrap up the match,8221; Bengal captain Deep Dasgupta said after the day8217;s play.
For the fans though, much of the day8217;s entertainment came in the first two hours when Ganguly went about the task of converting his overnight 72-run knock into the much-anticipated century.
Coming out to bat with Tewari, Ganguly carted the stingless Rajasthan bowling around with elan, reaching the ton in no time. With the Bengal total quickly going past the 500-run mark 8212; courtesy some lusty hitting by the former Indian captain in the V-region 8212; the declaration was imminent.
Tewari, of course, will rue missing out on a double century as he holed out off Shailender Gehlot. Soon, the local hero, too, perished trying to clear the field over long-on off an otherwise unimpressive left-arm spinner Sumit Khatri.
Brief scores: Rajasthan 193 038; 202/4 in 63 overs Rohit Jhalani batting 62, Nikhil Doru batting 60 v Bengal 583/6 decl in 144 overs M Tewari 181, S Ganguly 122, A Jhunjhunwala 115.
