Ranji Trophy: Bengal complete resounding innings win despite Nitish Reddy's 90

Bengal sealed their place in the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 with an innings and 90-run victory over Andhra in Kalyani. Despite a resilient 90 from Nitish Kumar Reddy, Andhra were bowled out for 244, falling short of avoiding the innings defeat.

Resuming at 67/3, Andhra lost captain Ricky Bhui early to Shahbaz Ahmed. From 92/3, they collapsed, losing three wickets for just four runs. Nitish Reddy then found support from Kalidindi Raju (25) in a 57-run partnership for the seventh wicket, broken by Anustup Majumdar. Reddy later added 85 runs with Tripurana Vijay (46), but Shahbaz Ahmed dismissed Reddy caught and bowled for his fourth wicket. Wicket-keeper KS Bharat was absent due to injury, so Vijay's dismissal ended the innings, sending Bengal through to face Jammu and Kashmir in the semifinals.

Brief Scores:
Andhra 295 & 244 (Nitish Kumar Reddy 90, Tripurana Vijay 46; Shahbaz Ahmed 4-72) lost to Bengal 629 by an innings and 90 runs.