A commanding all-round display guided Maharashtra to a thumping 10-wicket victory against host Bengal in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C clash at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. While poor lighting had severely truncated action across the opening three days, the visiting side seized full control on the fourth and final morning. Demonstrating clinical execution in both bowling and batting departments, Maharashtra wrapped up the contest swiftly, securing a full haul of seven points including a valuable bonus point. This commanding triumph propelled Maharashtra to the summit of the group standings with 19 points from four outings, marking their biggest win of the ongoing domestic season and handing Bengal their maiden defeat of the campaign.
Early Morning Collapse rattles Bengal on Day Four
Resuming their second innings on the final morning from an overnight position of 76 for 4, Bengal harbored hopes of building a respectable lead to challenge the visitors. However, the early session quickly turned into a batting catastrophe for the hosts. Inside the first half-hour of play, Maharashtra paceman Pradeep Dadhe struck double blows that tilted the momentum decisively. Bowling with tight lines and exploiting slight assistance from the pitch, Dadhe trapped both Suraj Jaiswal and Shahbaz Ahmed leg before wicket in quick succession. Shahbaz had survived an earlier chance but failed to capitalize, leaving Bengal in dire straits at the start of the morning session.
Porel and Sumanta Mount Fighting Resistance
Staring at a potential batting rout, Bengal found solace through a gritty lower-middle order resurgence orchestrated by wicketkeeper Abhishek Porel and Sumanta Gupta. Porel, who had resumed his innings on 23, batted with flair and authority, striking five boundaries and a six during his 84-ball stay to craft a commendable 65. At the other end, Sumanta provided resolute company, contributing a valuable 59 after benefiting from a missed opportunity when batting on 31. Together, the duo stitched a fighting 64-run partnership for the sixth wicket, expertly rotating the strike and finding boundaries on both flanks of the ground to pull Bengal out of immediate embarrassment.
Dadhe and Waluj Share Eight Wickets to Skittle Hosts for 186
Just as the hosts appeared to be recovering, Maharashtra broke through courtesy of left-arm spinner Hitesh Waluj. Delivering a sharp delivery that extracted extra bounce, Waluj forced an edge off Porel's glove straight into the waiting hands of the slip fielder. Porel's departure triggered a total batting collapse, with the rest of the lineup unable to spend sustained time at the crease. Bengal folded for 186 runs in their second essay. Pradeep Dadhe and Hitesh Waluj proved to be the architects of Maharashtra's bowling dominance, sharing eight wickets evenly between them. Dadhe finished with four scalps for his relentless seam discipline, while Waluj dismantled the middle and lower order with his clever variations to finish with identical figures of four wickets.
Shaw and Dhas Decimate Target in Blistering Unbeaten Stand
Chasing a modest target of 112 runs to register an outright win with a bonus point, Maharashtra's opening pair made short work of the pursuit. Youngster Sachin Dhas displayed fluent strokeplay, racing to his half-century in just 43 balls. Dhas remained unbeaten on a stylish 61 off 68 deliveries, decorating his innings with 10 exquisite boundaries through varied gaps across the turf.
Senior partner Prithvi Shaw was equally ruthless at the other end, unleashing vintage power hitting that gave Bengal's bowlers no respite. Shaw reached his fifty in 47 deliveries and concluded the contest unbeaten on 53 off 50 balls, an aggressive knock studded with three fours and four towering sixes. The opening duo crossed the required total without losing a single wicket, concluding an emphatic team performance that underscores Maharashtra's credentials as serious title contenders this domestic season.
