Pradipta Pramanik Puts Bengal in Control Against Kerala

Spinner Pradipta Pramanik put Bengal in a strong position on the third day by picking up four early wickets against Kerala. Kerala fell to 53 for four in their second innings, still needing a steep target of 408 to win at the KCA Stadium in Mangalapuram on Wednesday.

First Innings

Earlier in the day, Bengal bowled out Kerala for 141 runs in just 16.3 overs. Pramanik led the bowling attack by taking four wickets for 44 runs. Bengal chose not to enforce the follow-on to avoid batting on a tricky pitch on the fourth day, opting instead to score quickly in their second innings.

Second Innings

Captain Abhimanyu Easwaran scored 47 runs, while Mohammed Shami added quick runs with three sixes to push the lead past 400. In Kerala's second turn at bat, Pramanik removed four batters and gave up only 21 runs. Kerala captain Vishnu Vinod and Salman Nizar remained at the crease at the end of the day's play.

Context

Cricket pitches often dry out and break up by the third and fourth days of a multi-day match, which helps slow spin bowlers get sharp turn and bounce. Teams usually try to build a massive lead in these conditions to make it very difficult for the opposing side to chase runs in the final innings.