Gujarat are on course to secure the vital first innings lead against Bengal in the Ranji quarterfinal being played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. At the end of day two, the visitors had reached 161 for two in reply to Bengal's 353.

Bengal, who began the day on 277 for seven, added another 76 runs before losing their last three batsmen. All-rounder Laxmi Rattan Shukla, who made an unbeaten 52 off 104 balls, was the main contributor with the bat for the home team on the day. Overnight centurion Sanjib Sanyal, for his part, could add only 14 runs before being dismissed for a well-made 123. For Gujarat, opening bowler LA Patel and off-spinner BN Mehta shared the bowling honours with four wickets each.

The Gujarat reply did not get off to a very smooth start; opener ND Modi departing rather early. Soon after, they suffered another jolt when they lost their skipper and veteran batsman Mukund Parmar for 19. But Modi's opening partner H Joshipura batting on a patient 63 and K Damani on 50 ensured that the visitors were in a position to harbour thoughts of an upset win.

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