Ranji Trophy: Maharashtra takes the lead against Bengal after its tail wags

Maharashtra's Tanay Sanghvi plays a shot on day two of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C cricket match against Bengal at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI Maharashtra’s No. 8 batter Tanay Sanghavi’s brilliant maiden half-century steered his side out of trouble and placed it in a strong position against Bengal on the second day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C match at the Eden Gardens here on Tuesday (November 3, 2026).In reply to Bengal’s 143, the determined effort from Maharashtra’s tail-enders helped the tourist gather 207 for nine and secure a useful 64-run first innings lead before bad light prematurely ended play for the second successive day.Resuming from 21 for two, Maharashtra lost its batting mainstay Ankit Bawne as Mohammed Kaif breached his defence with an incoming delivery. Bengal's Mohammed Kaif celebrates after taking the wicket of Maharashtra's Harshal Kate on day two of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C cricket match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI Suraj Jaiswal and Kaif removed Sachin Dhas and Harshal Kate respectively. Mohammed Shami ended opener Siddhesh Veer’s patient knock as the left-hander pulled one to deep fine-leg. Maharashtra tottered at 64 for six, but didn’t give up.Saurabh Nawale and Sanghavi (57 batting, 167b, 3x4, 1x6) added 38 before the former was caught behind off Shahbaz Ahmed’s first over at the stroke of lunch. The visitor, at 102 for seven, was still not out of trouble.As the pitch eased out, Sanghavi presented a superb example of grit and temperament while leading his fellow lower order colleagues well during his four-hour stay. Bengal's Suraj Jaiswal bowls on day two of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C cricket match against Maharashtra, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI The southpaw, who hit a straight six off Pradipta Pramanik in his limited stroke-play, added 44 with Hangargekar, 12 with Hitesh Walunj before forming a crucial unbroken 49-run stand off 128 balls, the biggest partnership of the innings, with Pradeep Dadhe (22 batting, 59b, 4x4) for the tenth wicket and scripting a turnaround.Bengal’s bowlers struggled with lesser assistance from the track in the middle session. With the field spread out, edges falling short of fielders and byes leaking, the home team seemed clueless. The accurate Shahbaz, who scalped two in the post-lunch session, was the pick of the bowlers with three for 34. Maharashtra's Rajvardhan Hangargekar plays a shot on day two of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C cricket match against Bengal at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI The scores: Bengal — 1st innings: 143.Maharashtra — 1st innings: Prithvi Shaw b Shami 12, Siddhesh Veer c Jaiswal b Shami 28, Digvijay Patil lbw b Shami 0, Ankit Bawne b Kaif 7, Sachin Dhas c Chatterjee b Jaiswal 7, Harshal Kate lbw b Kaif 1, Saurabh Nawale c Porel b Shahbaz 28, Tanay Sanghavi (batting) 57, Rajvardhan Hangargekar b Shahbaz 24, Hitesh Walunj c Abhimanyu b Shahbaz 1, Pradeep Dadhe (batting) 22; Extras (b-10, lb-9, nb-1): 20; Total (for nine wkts. in 79 overs): 207.Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-18, 3-31, 4-46, 5-47, 6-64, 7-102, 8-146, 9-158.Bengal bowling: Shami 22-7-36-3, Jaiswal 13-0-38-1, Kaif 12-2-33-2, Shahbaz 17-4-34-3, Pramanik 13-1-39-0, Sumanta 2-1-8-0. Published - November 03, 2026 05:55 pm IST