After impressive outings in the first two matches, veteran speedster Mohammed Shami went wicket-less as Hanuma Vihari's century guided Tripura closer to Bengal’s first-innings total in their Group C Ranji Trophy at Maharaja Bir Bikram College Stadium, Agartala.
At stumps on the third day of the Ranji clash, Tripura were 273 for seven, with Vihari unbeaten on 121 and skipper Manisankar Murasingh on 42. The duo added 73 runs for the eighth wicket, keeping Tripura in the game.
Former Ranji winners Bengal were bowled out for 336 in their first innings, leaving Tripura trailing by 63 runs heading into the final day. Overnight, Bengal were 336 for nine, and the last wicket fell without any addition to the score. Manisankar Murasingh and Rana Dutta picked up three wickets each, while Bikramkumar Das contributed 2 for 16 from six overs.
Tripura failed to get a good start
Tripura failed to get a good start to their innings as they lost four wickets on just 35 runs and then the side lost another wicket on 53 runs, with medium pacer Mohammed Kaif causing the most trouble. Kaif finished with excellent figures of 4 for 53 in 19 overs.
Hanuma Vihari Leads Tripura Fightback
However, the ignored Indian all-rounder came to the rescue with a determined century, hitting 17 fours and a six. With half the team back in the dressing room, he rebuilt the innings through solid partnerships. Vihari first added 107 runs for the seventh wicket with Vijay Shankar, who scored 34, and then put on an unbroken 73-run stand with Murasingh.
Meanwhile, Shami, who had been impressive in his earlier matches this Ranji season, working hard to make India's comeback after getting omitted from the squad since the Champions Trophy 2025 win, was unable to get a wicket.
Berief scores
Bengal 336 all out in 115.5 overs (Sudip Gharami 108, Habib Gandhi 95; Rana Dutta 3/76, Manisankar Murasingh 3/56) vs Tripura 273/7 in 78 overs (Hanuma Vihari 121 batting, Manisankar Murasingh 42 batting; Mohammed Kaif 4/53) .