Dhruva Prasad
BENGALURU
Jharkhand’s day was bookended by two spells of synchronised clapping, geared toward boosting the morale of the fielders, however in between Bengal continued to pile distress on its opponent to finish day two of the primary quarterfinal of the Ranji Trophy on 577 for 5 on the Just Cricket Academy floor right here on Tuesday.
After Shahbaz Ahmed ramped Sushant Mishra (two for 122) for a six over third man following the dismissal of Abishek Porel (68, 111b, 11×4), who was strangled down the leg, the Jharkhand dugout geed up the fielders with a spherical of applause within the one hundred and seventy fifth over the innings. Earlier, an identical spectacle had transpired an hour into the day’s play.
Between these bouts of cheers, Bengal ran the bowlers ragged. Porel and Manoj Tiwary (54 batting, 146b, 3×4, 1×6), pairing for a 109-run stand for the fifth wicket, regarded poised for a rousing finish to the day. Porel reduce and drove the pacers and spinners in equal measure. Overcoming his jitters with the quick ball, Tiwary struck his first boundary after going through 95 balls earlier than reaching his fifty with a cover-drive for 4.
Big stand
Earlier, Sudip Kumar Gharami (186, 380b, 21×4, 1×6) and Anustup Majumdar (117, 194b, 15×4) constructed on the in a single day rating of 310 for one with their stonewalling yielding 99 runs in 35 overs within the first session. Majumdar reached the three-figure mark with a few fours after Ashish Kumar troubled him initially by shifting the ball each methods. Rahul Shukla, nevertheless, was inaccurate from the beginning, straying on the pads to permit two fours within the second over of the day.
After a back-breaking spell, Shahbaz Nadeem lastly drew Majumdar’s exterior edge by beating him within the air and ending a 243-run stand. Abhishek Raman (61, 109b 8×4, 1×6), who retired harm on 41 on day one, confirmed intent from the get-go by stepping out and depositing off-spinner Utkarsh Singh over long-on for six earlier than he was left stranded exterior his crease by a flighted Anukul Roy supply.
Shifting gears
The day belonged to younger Gharami who shifted gears after an assuring first session. A bottom-handed whip by mid-wicket and a wild slash to the third man boundary betrayed a way of hurry to hurry to the 200-run mark. He fell 14 runs in need of it when he flicked a free one down leg-side to the wicket-keeper and walked again with disbelief writ massive on his face and a rousing ovation from his teammates.
The scores:
Bengal — 1st innings: Abhishek Raman st. Kushagra b Anukul 61, Abhimanyu Easwaran lbw b Sushant 65, Sudip Kumar Gharami c Kushagra b Shukla 186, Anustup Majumdar c sub (Bal Krishna) b Nadeem 117, Manoj Tiwary (batting) 54, Abishek Porel c Kushagra b Sushant 68, Shahbaz Ahmed (batting) 7; Extras (b-1, lb-9, nb-6, w-3): 19; Total (for 5 wkts. in 178 overs): 577.
Fall of wickets: 1-132, 2-375, 3-421, 4-455, 5-564.
Jharkhand bowling: Shukla 26-3-95-1, Ashish 36-8-105-0, Sushant 27-1-122-2, Nadeem 44-6-118-1, Anukul 33-4-91-1, Utkarsh 12-1-36-0.
Source: www.thehindu.com