Ranji Trophy: Samad Fallah gives Maharashtra ideal start in semi-finals

Bengal look for some inspiration from Ashok Dinda to make a comeback

Indore, Jan 18 (IANS) Maharashtra left-arm pacer Samad Fallah picked up a seven-wicket haul to put his team in a strong position against Bengal on day one of the Ranji Trophy semifinal at the Holkar Stadium here on Saturday.

Falla’s burst led to Bengal getting bowled out for 114 in 41.4 overs, after the opposition had put them in. Maharashtra were 164 for four at stumps, leading by 50 runs. Ankit Bawne (37) and Rohit Motwani (8) were in the middle.

The other contributions came from Harshad Khadiwale (28), Chirag Khurana (48), and Kedar Jadhav (40), who is among the India probables for the World Twenty20 in March-April.

Laxmi Ratan Shukla and speedster Ashok Dinda shared the wickets for Bengal, who find already themselves on the back foot.

Shukla had U-19 star Vijay Zol leg-before, besides removing opener Khadiwale. Dinda removed Khurana and Jadhav.

An entire day of play was washed out in the other semifinal between Punjab and Karnataka in Mohali.

Brief scores:

Bengal 114 all out (Arindam Das 37; Samad Fallah 7/58), Maharashtra 164 for four (Harshad Khadiwale 28, Chirag Khurana 48, Kedar Jadhav 40, Ankit Bawne 37 batting; Ashok Dinda 2/45, LR Shukla 2/45).