Bengal to meet Karnataka Saurashtra to face Gujarat in Ranji Trophy semis

Cuttack : Bengal stormed into the Ranji Trophy semi-finals by virtue of their first innings lead over Odisha while Karnataka thrashed Jammu and Kashmir to set up a semi-final date with the former after the final day's play on Monday.

Resuming on 361/7, Bengal lost their remaining three wickets for just 12 runs inside six overs to set Odisha an improbable 456-run target.

Odisha were 39/0 in 10 overs when bad light stopped play as both the teams agreed upon a stalemate at the DRIEMS College ground.

Bengal qualified by virtue of their first innings lead of 82 runs, and will take on Karnataka in the semi-final starting from February 29 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, Karnataka rode Krishnappa Gowtham's 7/54 to bundle out Jammu and Kashmir for 163 and qualify for the semis.

Karnataka ended the day at 245/4, leading Jammu and Kashmir by 259 runs and on Monday were all out for 316. K.V. Siddharth was their top-scorer with 98. It was Gowtham's show then as the off-spinner spun a web around J&K batters.

In the fourth quarter-final at Ongole, Saurashtra won by virtue of their first innings lead after their tie with Andhra ended in a draw.