Wicketkeeper-batter Anmol Malhotra’s gritty unbeaten century helped Punjab avert catastrophe on the opening day of its Ranji Trophy Group-C match in opposition to Bengal on the Eden Gardens right here on Thursday.
Requested to bat, Punjab rode on Malhotra’s defiant knock (106 n.o., 114b, 11×4, 2×6) to recuperate from 73 for six to put up 191 in its first innings.
In reply, Bengal was at 119 for 4 at stumps.
The host benefitted early as its seamers, Suraj Jaiswal and 32-year-old debutant Sumit Mohanta, acquired motion off the observe in overcast situations to scalp 4 wickets for 49 runs in somewhat greater than an hour. Mohanta captured three of them, whereas Jaiswal saved it tight.
Wriddhiman Saha, who was felicitated by the Cricket Affiliation of Bengal and was introduced a signed jersey by his teammates previous to the match for his impending retirement, held the primary two catches whereas Abishek Porel, who took over the keeper’s position from Saha after 13 overs, pouched the subsequent two.
Jaiswal got here from around the wicket to entice southpaw Pukhraj Mann in entrance of the stumps and had captain Mayank Markande caught within the slips as Punjab took lunch at 95 for six.
Malhotra performed deliveries on benefit. As Bengal unfold the sector after lunch, he used his ft and performed extra freely, showcasing some drives on his solution to the three-figure mark.
Jaiswal and Mohanta, who shared a majority of Bengal’s workload, scalped 4 apiece.
Bengal started watchfully as Punjab pacers, Gurnoor Brar and Sahil Khan, displayed self-discipline.
Prodigious expertise, 16-year-old southpaw Ankit Chatterjee, performed some good-looking pictures earlier than being caught behind off Gurnoor. His opening companion Sudip Chatterjee edged Aradhya Shukla to Malhotra.
Sahil claimed Sudip Gharami earlier than skipper Anustup Majumdar (32, 44b, 3×4) and Sumanta Gupta (39 batting, 42b, 5×4, 1×6) steadied the boat with a 50-run partnership. The host misplaced Majumdar late however prevented additional injury.
The scores: Punjab – 1st innings: Vishwa Pratap Saha B Jaiswal 0, Prabhsimran Saha B Mohanta 4, Sahaj Dhawan 106, Mayank Markande C Sudip Chatterjee B Jaiswal 9, Aaradhya Shukla C Porel B Jaiswal 4, Gurnoor Brar Lbw B Mohanta 22, Sahil Khan C Majumdar B Kaif 1, Kunwar Kuckreja C CL B Kaif 0; Extras (LB-5): 5; Whole (in 57.2 overs): 191.
Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-4, 3-34, 4-39, 5-61, 6-73, 7-106, 8-144, 9-191.
Bengal bowling: Jaiswal 21-6-68-4, Mohanta 18-2-58-4, Kaif 12.2-3-41-2, Bhati 6-0-19-0.
Bengal – 1st innings: Ankit Chatterjee C Malhotra B Gurnoor 11, Sudip Chatterjee C Malhotra B Aradhya 17, Sudip Gharami C Malhotra B Sahil 14, Anustuup Majumdar C Vishwa B Gurnoor, SUMANTA GUPTA (Batting) 39 ; Extras (b-1) 1; Whole (for 4 wkts. In 31 overs): 119.
Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-42, 3-52, 4-102.
Punjab bowling: Gurnor 12-1-45-2, Sahil 9-3-28-1, Aradhya 7-0-33-1, Markande 3-0-12-0.
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