Bengal almost through to the final; Mayank Agarwal and Nikin Jose give Karnataka an outside chance
Arpit Vasavada smashed a double century (Source: Twitter)
While Bengal's Anustup Majumdar and Pradipta Pramanik with their half-centuries rained on Madhya Pradesh's parade, Mayank Agarwal and Nikin Jose combined to keep Karnataka in the game, but only just.
Majumdar, Pramanik overshadows Saransh's six-for
After Sudip Kumar Gharami and Majumdar whipped Madhya Pradesh with their 85-run partnership, a collapse ensued as Bengal wobbled at 165/5.
While Majumar's 80 ensured that his team recovered well, his dismissal was followed by a quick fall of wickets as Saransh Jain and Kumar Kartikeya forced Madhya Pradesh to the brink of an all-out.
However, the last-wicket undefeated 56-run stand between Pramanik and Ishan Porel laid the hosts dead in the water as Bengal stretched their lead to 547 runs, sitting at 279/9 at the end of fourth day's play.
Kaverappa dusts Karnataka; Agarwal and Jose fills in belief
Courtesy of Vidhwath Kaverappa's five-wicket haul, Saurashtra were bowled out for 527 runs but not before Arpit Vasavada's double-century.
Vasavada forged a 142-run partnership with Chirag Jani but as the latter fell after scoring a 149-ball 72, Saurashtra were packed away rapidly.
As Saurashtra took a 120-run lead, Karnataka's score being 123/4 at the end of the day means they only lead by three runs.
For Karnataka, Agarwal and Jose scored 55 and 54* runs respectively, holding their finale dream by a thread.
 "Aayush Mahajan")
