Ranji Trophy Final: Terror of Saurashtra bowlers on the first day, 12 wickets fell in 71 overs; 8 batsmen of Bengal were able to score only 55 runs

Ahead of the Ranji Trophy final, Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary told The Indian Express that he wanted a fast and bouncy pitch as Saurashtra batsmen bat well on “low and slow” wickets. Manoj Tiwary got a similar wicket, but Saurashtra took advantage of it. The terror of the bowlers was seen on the pitch of Eden Gardens, 12 wickets fell in 71 overs. Saurashtra’s 8 batsmen were able to score only 55 runs together.

Jaydev Unadkat won the toss and opted to bowl on a green-topped wicket. The Saurashtra skipper (3/44) and Chetan Sakaria (3/33) were in fine form with the new ball as the hosts were 17/4 in five overs. Jaydev Unadkat shocked Bengal in the very first over. With three slips, a gully and short leg, Abhimanyu Easwaran (0) was caught by Jai Gohil on an inswinger.

Manoj Tiwari returned to the pavilion cheaply

In the next over, Chetan Sakaria had Sumant Gupta (1) caught at first slip by Sheldon Jackson. A few balls later, Sakariya bowled a sharp inswinger, on which Sudeep Gharami (0) was bowled. Making Manoj Tiwary (7), Vishwaraj Jadeja was caught in the street by Jaydev Unadkat. The Bengal team had fallen into its own trap.

Half the team returned to the pavilion till the drinks break.

All eyes were now on veteran Bengal’s top run-scorer Anustup Majumdar this season, but he was dismissed by pacer Chirag Jani. Half of the Bengal team returned to the pavilion till the drinks break. Shahbaz Ahmed (69) shared a 33-run partnership with all-rounder Akash Ghatak (17), who had replaced Pradipta Pramanik in the playing XI.

Shahbaz and Abhishek Porel added 101 runs

Ghatak pulled a sharp bouncer from Sakaria and Unadkat took a simple catch at mid-wicket. Bengal’s score was reduced to 65/6. After this, Shahbaz and Abhishek Porel (50) added 101 runs for the seventh wicket. Unadkat introduced Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (2/19) into the attack and the left-arm spinner dismissed Shahbaz and also dismissed Akash Deep in his next over. Chirag Jani then dismissed Porel. Unadkat then himself came to bowl and bowled out Mukesh Kumar to complete 300 Ranji Trophy wickets.

Saurashtra opener didn’t look in trouble against Bengal pacers

In reply, the Saurashtra openers didn’t seem to be in any trouble against the Bengal pacers. Akash Deep, Bengal’s highest wicket-taker this season, started with a no-ball and was dropped from the attack after two overs. Mukesh Kumar is known for his line and length but Harvik Desai spoiled it by hitting a six and a four.

Harvik Desai 38 and Chetan Sakaria at the crease after scoring 2 runs

Akash Deep returned to bowl and clean bowled Gohil (6). Saurashtra sent in Vishvaraj Singh Jadeja (25) at No.3. He hit three fours in Porel’s first over. At the end of the first day, Mukesh dismissed Jadeja. Saurashtra’s team has scored 81 runs for 2 wickets till the end of the first day’s play. Harvik Desai 38 and Chetan Sakaria are at the crease after scoring 2 runs.