Tripura Shock Bengal, Earn First-Innings Lead in Dramatic Draw

• By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
• Nov 04, 2025
• 5

Bottom-placed Tripura turned underdog energy into a demolition act as Bengal — a strong quarterfinal favourite — was left stunned in a drawn Ranji Trophy third-round encounter that saw the hosts seize first-innings honours and three precious points in dramatic fashion.

For Bengal, it was a gut punch. Since Tripura’s entry into the domestic circuit in 1985–86, the two sides had met 18 times in First-Class cricket — this being only the second time the fixture ended in a draw.

The stage was set on the penultimate day, with Hanuma Vihari’s elegant century and Manisankar Murasingh’s fluent strokeplay pushing Tripura within sight of Bengal’s total. With three wickets in hand and 64 runs needed to secure the lead, the hosts began the final day with intent.

Bengal captain Abishek Porel handed the new ball to Mohammed Shami after just four overs, hoping for an early breakthrough. But Murasingh’s confident boundaries revived a subdued dressing room. Vihari’s dismissal — trapped leg before in the 90th over — gave Bengal a flicker of hope, but that soon faded.

Tripura’s local stalwart Rana Datta, known more for his club cricket heroics, proved the difference. His composed support helped Tripura edge past Bengal’s total, sealing a rare first-innings lead.

Once the advantage was secured, Murasingh shifted gears, launching a heave over midwicket off Shahbaz Ahmed to bring up his fifth First-Class hundred — to the roar of an adoring home crowd.

Bengal’s reply was jittery. Three wickets fell for just 13 runs, and Shahbaz narrowly survived a scare before steadying the ship with a fighting half-century. With the result beyond change, both captains agreed to a draw.

Tripura’s gritty display not only earned them three points but also announced, perhaps for the first time, that they can no longer be taken lightly.