Delhi thrashed Bengal by an innings and 26 runs within three days to storm into the final of the Ranji Trophy 2017-18 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Tuesday.
Pacers Navdeep Saini (4/35) and Kulwant Khejroliya (4/40) wrecked havoc in Bengal's second innings, sharing eight wickets between them to bundle the opposition out for a paltry 86.
After conceding a crucial 112-run lead in the first innings, Bengal were off to a forgettable start losing their top five wickets for mere 44 runs on the board.
Vice captain Sudip Chatterjee (21), skipper Manoj Tiwary (14) and stumper Shreevats Goswami (17) managed to get the starts but failed to convert when the team needed the most even as Bengal lost their remaining five wickets within a span of 42 runs.
Earlier, India's red ball specialist Mohammed Shami snared six wickets to apply the brakes on Delhi, who resumed at their overnight score of 271/3 and went on to add 127 runs to their total.
For Delhi, Himmat Singh contributed with a valuable 60 on Tuesday after twin centuries from openers Gautam Gambhir (127) and Kunal Chandela (113) set the tone for a grand first innings total.
Brief Scores: Bengal 286 & 86 (Sudip Chatterjee 21; Navdeep Saini 4/35, Kulwant Khejroliya 4/40) lose to Delhi 398 (Gautam Gambhir 127, Kunal Chandela 113; Mohammed Shami 6/122) by an innings and 26 runs.
Ganesh Satish gives hope to Vidarbha against Karnataka
Middle-order batsman Ganesh Satish cracked a defiant unbeaten 50 to keep Vidarbha afloat in the Ranji Trophy semifinal against heavyweights Karnataka by taking a 79-run lead and posting 195/4 at stumps on day III at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday.
Bad light stopped play and 32 overs were wasted due to late start as conditions were overcast in the morning.
Resuming at 294/8, Karnataka were all out for 301 taking a lead of 116 runs but Satish (71 off 128b batting; 10x4) batted sensibly and was ably supported by Apoorv Wankhade (49 off 48b; 9x4) and Akshay Wadkar (19 batting).
For Karnataka, Sreenath Aravind was the pick of the bowlers returning figures of 2/41.
Brief scores: Vidarbha 185 and 195/4 (Ganesh Satish 71 batting, Apporv Wankhade 49; Sreenath Aravind 2/41); Karnataka 301 (Karun Nair 153, CM Gautam 73; Rajneesh Gurbani 5/94, Umesh Yadav 4/73)
