By A Correspondent
Patna: In a determined display, Bihar batsmen have exceeded expectations, raising hopes in their ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh at the Moinul Haq Stadium. At the close of play on the third day, Bihar had scored 331 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their first innings. They still need 135 more runs to avoid the follow-on, with two wickets remaining. Madhya Pradesh had earlier posted an imposing first-innings total of 616.
Starting the day at 131 for four, Bihar’s Bipin Saurabh and Ayush Lohruka batted brilliantly, keeping the Madhya Pradesh bowlers at bay. Bipin hit some impressive shots, including a six, before he was eventually stumped by wicketkeeper Himanshu Mantri off Saransh Jain’s bowling. Bipin scored a valuable 71 runs from 89 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. Together, Bipin and Ayush built a solid partnership of 96 runs for the fifth wicket.
Following Bipin’s dismissal, Ayush was joined by Sarman Nigrodh, and the two continued to frustrate Madhya Pradesh with a determined 86-run stand for the sixth wicket. Ayush, inching closer to a century, was eventually caught by Kumar Kartikeya Singh off Venkatesh Iyer’s bowling, having contributed a patient 76 runs from 213 balls, including 11 boundaries. Sarman played a steady innings as well, scoring 42 from 122 balls with five fours, before being trapped LBW by Aryan Pandey.
In the final moments of the day, Bihar suffered a late blow when Sachin Kumar Singh was bowled by Kumar Kartikeya Singh after a careful 34-run innings off 99 balls, which included six fours. As the day ended, Bihar’s captain, Veer Pratap Singh, remained at the crease with four runs to his name.
Bihar’s other scorers included Piyush Kumar Singh (37), Babul Kumar (47), and Sakibul Gani (3). For Madhya Pradesh, Saransh Jain led the bowling with three wickets for 107 runs, while Kumar Kartikeya Singh took two for 85, Aryan Pandey claimed two for 37, and Venkatesh Iyer picked up one for 19.
Bihar will look to continue their resistance on the fourth day, needing 135 more runs to avoid the follow-on.
