Bengal were in the driver's seat with a first innings lead against Maharashtra on the third and penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Replying to Maharashtra's first innings total of 215, Bengal were all out for 325, 21 minutes before the tea interval at the Eden Gardens.

Having conceded a 110-run first innings lead to the hosts, Maharashtra were 78/1 at draw of stumps.

Dheeraj Jadhav (25) and Hrishikesh Kanitkar (25) were in the middle.

Resuming at overnight score of 199 for five, skipper Deep Dasgupta (49; 4x4) and Rohan Gavaskar (38; 6x4) added 60 runs for the sixth wicket to enable their side open up a crucial first innings lead which guaranteed them two points.

After Rohan departed, Dasgupta and Sourasish Lahiri (54; 7x4) stitched together an 82-run stand for the seventh wicket to consolidate the homeside's position.

Sairaj Bahutule finally broke the partnership by getting rid of Dasgupta who played a responsible knock.

For Maharashtra, Anupam Sanklecha (3/108) was the most successful player.