Sensational Mayank Agarwal’s double ton highlights Day 2 of Semi-finals in Ranji Trophy
Team Bengal (Source: Twitter)
Another brilliant day of the Semi-finals in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, as we saw some commanding team efforts and individual brilliance. Let’s take a quick view on the action transpired.
Mayank Agarwal’s double century powered Karnataka over 400
Resuming on day two with 229 for five, Karnataka went on to post a commanding total of 407 in the first innings. Mayank Agarwal led from the front as the Karnataka skipper played an absolute marathon, an innings to remember for a long long time. If it was all about keeping Karnataka in the game on day 1, Agarwal had to bat with the tail on day two and make sure the runs came at a good rate.
Karnataka were eight down with 278 on the board. Mayank completed his 150 just before Lunch and went on to complete his second double century of the season in less than an hour. Karnataka went past 400 just before Tea and Agarwal got out for 249 off 429. He also became the first player this season to cross the 900 runs mark.
In reply, Saurashtra lost Snell Patell early as Vidwath Kaverappa continued to take wickets with the new ball. Kaverappa went on to remove Vishwarajsinh Jadeja after Tea and Saurashtra finished with 76 on the board at stumps. Harvik Desai and Sheldon Jackson are currently in the middle, eyeing a big batting day ahead to keep Saurashtra in the game and to some extent bring the game back in control.
Bengal in control against MP
Bengal had a fantastic day one, with Anustup Majumdar and Sudip Gharami centuries propelling them to 307 for four at stumps. Resuming the day with Manoj Tiwary and Shahbaz Ahmed in the middle, Bengal lost the latter early in the first session and Abishek Porel, at seven joined Tiwary, adding a crucial 78 runs for the sixth wicket.
Young Porel showed great character and complemented his skipper really well but departed after a well made 51. Bengal went on to lose the last five wickets in a span of 37 runs, with Kumar Kartikeya taking three of them and Bengal got bowled out for 438.
In reply, the defending champions were 56 for two at stumps as both Ishan Porel and Akash Deep scalped a wicket each to further end Bengal's day on a high. Saransh Jain and nightwatchman Anubhav Agarwal did not allow any further damage at the end. Madhya Pradesh have a lot of work to do on Day three, on a surface which will only get tougher to bat on.
 "Kaushik Kashyap")
