Bengal put up a strong reply with opener Arindam Das' gritty unbeaten halfcentury after Madhya Pradesh's first innings folded for a challenging 431 in their Group B Ranji Trophy league match at the Eden Gardens, here today.
The hosts still have a mountain to climb to avoid the first innings defecit as they trail by 314 runs with Arindam looking steady on unbeaten 70 (118b; 11x4s) while Anustup Majumdar was not out on 12 at close on day two.
Earlier resuming at his overnight score of 14, Udit Birla completed his half-century. But Naman Ojha, who was unbeaten on 101, was the first to depart after Sib Shankar Pal once again gave Bengal the first breakthrough to break the fifth wicket partnership of 73 runs.
The veteran Bengal medium pacer, who returned with figures of 3/68, added his third scalp while Ashok Dinda (2/124), after a listless display, impressed in his fifth spell (9-0-37-2) after being brought in from the High Court end with a two-wicket burst including Birla's wicket to reduce Madhya Pradesh to 378 for eight.
But Bengal struggled to snap the tailenders as the last two wickets -- Ankit Sharma (34 not out) and Ishwar Pandey (17) -- added crucial 53 runs including three boundaries in Dinda's last and 39th over to give a filip to MP's first innings total.
With little help from the Eden strip for the new ball duo of Ishwar Pandey and Anand Rajan, Bengal openers looked at ease.
Luck too aided Bengal as Rohan Banerjee was dropped on 8 by Birla, in what was a difficult chance, only to hurt his left hand.
Left-arm spinner Sharma, who impressed with the bat earlier in the second session, broke the opening 70-run partnership when he trapped Banerjee in front of the wicket.
But Arindam looked comfortable as he steadied the Bengal innings in an unbroken 47-run stand with Majumdar.
Brief Scores:
Madhya Pradesh 1st Innings 431; 135.5 overs (Naman Ojha 115, Udit Birla 68, Ankit Sharma 38 n.O.; Sib Shankar Paul 3/68, Anustup Majumdar 3/42, Ashok Dinda 2/124). Bengal 1st Innings 117/1; 36 overs (Arindam Das 70 batting). Match to continue.
