Pune: Young speedster Navdeep Saini (4/35) bowled one of the most devastating spells of recent times as Delhi humiliated Bengal by an innings and 26 runs to enter the final of the Ranji Trophy here, Tuesday.
Bengal were bowled out for paltry 86 in 24.3 overs after conceding a first innings lead of 112 runs to Delhi. Navdeep was ably supported by left-arm pacer Kulwant Khejroliya (4/40).
Resuming the day at 271/3, Delhi ended their first at 398. With Mohammed Shami bowling a fine spell, Delhi could add only 127 runs to their overnight total as Shami (6/122) ran through the middle and lower-order. Only Himmat Singh (60, 115b, 7×4, 1×6) managed to offer some resistance.
However, what followed was disaster for Bengal as they were bowled out for their lowest score of the season. Only four players were able to achieve double digit scores and it must have been pathetic to watch for CAB president Sourav Ganguly to watch the procession from the stands.
In the other semifinal played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Ganesh Satish’s (71 batting, 128b, 10×4) unbeaten half century and a brisk knock from Apoorv Wankhade (49, 48b, 9×4) helped Vidarbha wipe out their first innings deficit and go ahead by 79 runs in the second innings against Karnataka. At stumps Tuesday, Vidarbha were 195/4 in their second innings.
Earlier Karnakata resuming at 294 for eight were bowled out for 301 in the first essay.
Brief scores:
At Pune: Bengal 286 & 86 (Sudip Chatterjee 21; Navdeep Saini 4/35, Kulwant Khejroliya 4/40) lost to Delhi 398 (Himmat Singh 60, Mohd Shami 6/122) by innings and 26 runs.
At Kolkata: Vidarbha 185 & 195/4 (Ganesh Satish 71 batting); Karnataka 301 (Umesh Yadav 4/73). Match to continue.
