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The second day of the fifth round of the Ranji Trophy witnessed a flurry of exciting action across various venues. Among the highlights, Mohammed Shami made a triumphant return for Bengal, picking up four crucial wickets against Madhya Pradesh. This performance came after he missed the first four rounds due to injury. Meanwhile, Services' left-arm spinner, Vivek Narang, claimed three wickets for his team against Mumbai. These standout performances helped shape the day's matches and set the stage for intense battles in the coming days.
In the match between Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, having scored 228 in their first innings, saw MP reach 103/1 at stumps. Shami's incisive bowling proved to be a major turning point, causing a wobble in the MP batting order. He exhibited his trademark pace and accuracy, dismantling the MP top order and leaving Bengal in a strong position heading into day three.
In another intriguing encounter, Services were locked in a tight battle against Mumbai. Narang's three-wicket haul was pivotal in keeping Mumbai at bay. At the end of Day 2, Mumbai were struggling at 192/6, with Narang's spin proving to be a tough nut to crack for the Mumbai batsmen. Services' fightback has set the stage for a fascinating third day, where the outcome of this clash hangs in the balance.
Other matches also produced noteworthy moments. Odisha, who lost to Maharashtra by a significant margin, continued to struggle in their first innings, reaching 99/1 at the end of Day 2. Assam, on the other hand, made good progress against Chhattisgarh, posting 264/6 at the end of the day. The remaining matches also saw various teams make significant progress, with Baroda, Jammu & Kashmir, Vidarbha, Himachal Pradesh, Hyderabad, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh all putting up impressive performances.
The Ranji Trophy, India's premier domestic cricket tournament, continues to provide a platform for talented players to showcase their skills and make their mark. Day 2 of the fifth round showcased the fierce competition and high quality of cricket on display, leaving fans eager to see how the matches will unfold in the remaining days.