A collective performance by Bengal bowlers led by Pragyan Ojha (4/77) ensured an 108-run first innings lead over Delhi in an ill-tempered third day of Ranji Trophy Group A encounter at Feroz Shah Kotla today.
Having scored 357 in their first innings, Bengal bowled out Delhi for a meagre 249. However, the visitors lost three wickets in their second innings to finish the penultimate day at a precarious 47 for three, taking the overall lead to 155.
The visitors will have to bat at least a session to ensure that Bengal earn three points on the basis of their first innings lead.
The day, however, would be remembered for an ugly on-field altercation between rival captains Gautam Gambhir and Manoj Tiwary with former India opener threatening to hit his one-time India teammate and also pushing the umpire in the process.
Starting the day at 100 for three, overnight not out batsmen Milind Kumar (77) and Nitish Rana (43) took Delhi to 123 before Rana was trapped leg before.
Yogesh Nagar (10) tried to sweep Ojha and was caught by Tiwary. Milind though scored his half century but could not dominate the attack.
Bengal got five wickets in the post lunch session with Ashoke Dinda (3/59) sending Pradeep Sangwan's stumps for a walk.
Sumit Narwal (7) was out to a delivery that kept low. Once Milind got bowled trying to cut Aamir Gani against turn, Delhi failed to sustain any further and were all out for 249 in 101.2 overs.
In their second innings, Bengal were reduced to 2/2 in 7.1 overs with Partho Sarathi Bhattacharjee (0) and Naved Ahmed (1) back in the hut.
Tiwary then took the field and was straight away confronted, charged at and abused by the rival captain Gambhir. And when umpire K Srinath intervened, to everyone's horror, the Delhi skipper tried to push the umpire in order to get hold of Tiwary, who also had a few words for Gambhir.
In the end, Tiwary remained not out on 21 and Gani was batting on 10.
Brief Scores:
Bengal: 357 & 47/3 (Manoj Tiwary 21 batting, Aamir Gani 10 batting).
Delhi: 249 in 101.2 overs (Milind Kumar 77; Pragyan Ojha 4/77, Ashoke Dinda 3/59).
