Bengal scored a first innings total of 404 before reducing Punjab to 168 for four at stumps on day two of their Group A Ranji Trophy encounter here.
Starting the day on 332 for five, overnight batsman Pankaj Shaw, who resumed on 11, went on to complete his half-century to take the team past 400-run mark.
Shaw single-handedly steered the team's to a competitive first innings total, even as wickets kept falling at the other end. His knock of 55 came of 138 balls that included five fours and a six.
For Punjab, Sandeep Sharma finished with figures of four for 96.
Punjab did not have an ideal start as they lost their opener Jiwanjot Singh for a duck with the scorecard reading none for one.
The other opener Manan Vohra also failed to put up the resistance for long and was dismissed for 23.
But Uday Kaul steadied the boat with an unbeaten 73 off 141 deliveries with eight hits to the fence.
Out-of-favour India batsman Yuvraj Singh also got a start but failed convert it to a big score, getting out on 22.
At stumps, Taruwar Kohli (26 not out) was at the crease, giving Kaul the company.
Amit Kulia was the top wicket-taker for Bengal today with figures of three for 44.
Brief scores:
Bengal 1st innings: 404 all out (SS Mondal 135, Agniv Pan 70, Pankaj Shaw 55; Sandeep Sharma 4/96).
Punjab 1st innings: 168 for 4 in 51 overs (Uday Kaul 73 batting; Amit Kulia 3/44).
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