Lahli, Haryana, Jan 20 (FN Bureau) Medium pacer Akash Deep’s 5/51 against Haryana’s 2nd innings steered Bengal to an innings and 50-run triumph in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match played at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium here on Friday. The victory put the visitors into the last eight ( knockout stage) virtually with one match remaining of Laxmi Ratan Shukla coached side. Bengal took pole position with 32 points in the table. Akash Deep, hailed from Bihar’s Dehri, was adjudged the player of the match with total 10 wickets in two innings conceding 112 runs.
Mukesh Kumar also contributed with his bowling taking total of 4 wickets in 103 runs in both innings.Bengal after scoring 419/10 with 145 runs from Anushput Majumdar, Abhimanyu Eswaran’s 57 and Abishek Porel’s 48 was big enough for the hosts, which were skittled at 163 in the first knock and 199/9 after be8ing forced to follow on.Resuming at 177 for the loss of 7 wickets, Haryana were folded at 199/9 in the morning hours of the day.” Good win, yes, but we have a long way to go,” coach Shukla commented after his boys’ brilliant performance.” There is no place for complacency. There is no place for celebration. We need to work hard and fight together as a team,’ Shukla.