Bengal secured a clinical victory over Andhra Pradesh by an innings and 90 runs to storm into the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy 2026. The highlight of the quarter-final was Sudip Kumar Gharami’s monumental 299-run knock, which guided Bengal to a massive first-innings total of 629. Gharami scripted an unwanted history by becoming the first Indian batter to be dismissed on 299 in First-Class cricket.

Apart from Gharami’s batting masterclass, veteran Mohammed Shami chipped in with a quickfire 53. On the final day, left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed led the bowling attack, claiming 4/72 to bundle out Andhra in their second innings. Bengal’s comprehensive all-round performance has set up a high-voltage semifinal clash against giant-killers Jammu & Kashmir, who defeated Madhya Pradesh to reach the last four for the first time. The semi-final is scheduled to begin on February 15.