Pramanik’s left-arm spin puts Bengal in command as Kerala struggle at KCA Stadium

Pradipta Pramanik’s left-arm spin put Bengal in control as Kerala faltered at the KCA Stadium in Mangalapuram in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match on Wednesday. Bengal set the hosts a target of 408 and Kerala were 53 for four at the close of play.

The pitch showed its true character on the third day, with spinners dominating proceedings and accounting for 15 of the 18 wickets to fall on the penultimate day. Bengal chose not to enforce the follow-on, foregoing a potential bonus point to avoid batting on what the report described as a treacherous fourth-day pitch.

Kerala were dismissed for 141 in their first innings after Bengal required just 16.3 overs to finish the job in the morning session. Pramanik finished that innings with figures of 16.3-6-44-4 and was credited with taking three of the four first-session wickets; Mohammed Shami’s first-innings return was 11-2-35-3.

Bengal’s second innings featured attacking intent as batters took calculated risks to score at a brisk rate and push the match beyond Kerala’s reach. Captain Abhimanyu Easwaran made 47, hitting a series of boundaries off M.D. Nidheesh and Aditya Saravte before being dismissed by Jalaj Saxena; Bengal declared 198 in 46 overs. Kerala’s bowlers included Sarvate 18-2-72-3, Jalaj 18-1-70-5 and Basil 4-0-25-2.

In Kerala’s second innings Pramanik again led the charge, returning 10-2-21-4 as he removed top-order batters. The Kerala second-innings scorecard showed Abhishek J. Nair lbw b Pramanik 0, Jalaj Saxena c Chatterjee b Pramanik 18, Abhishek P. Nair b Pramanik 0 and Sachin Baby st. Porel b Pramanik 10; extras were 6 (b-5, lb-1).

At the close Kerala were 53 for four in 20 overs, with captain Vishnu Vinod 19 and Salman Nizar yet to score, chasing the 408 set by Bengal. The match proceeds to the fourth day with Kerala facing a substantial chase.