Ranji Trophy – The Hindu

Even as India stars Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep flattered to deceive, Suraj Jaiswal led Bengal’s four-pronged pace attack with a four-wicket haul and helped the host wrap up Uttarakhand’s first innings for 213 in the Ranji Trophy Group-C match at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday.
In reply, Bengal was eight for the loss of its captain Abhimanyu Eswaran in the first ball of the home side’s innings at stumps on day one.
After Bengal decided to field on a warm morning, the Shami-Akash combination, bowling for the first-ever time together, operated in tandem for eight overs without any rewards on a flat-looking track.

First-change bowler Ishan Porel provided the breakthrough in the 11th over by having Avneesh Sudha caught at the second slip in his second over.

Jaiswal, who was Bengal’s highest wicket-taker last season (29 scalps), dismissed Prashant Chopra as wicketkeeper Abishek Porel, standing up, took a sharp catch.
With his gentle pace, Jaiswal kept it on the stumps and got benefitted. Kunal Chandela and Yuvraj Choudhary were bowled and Shashwat Dangwal provided an easy return catch.
Bhupen Lalwani applied himself and scored a fine half-century (71, 128b, 9×4). Lalwani, who preferred to cut and pull for his fours and ran well for the singles, put up useful stands worth 44 and 54 runs with Shashwat Dangwal and Yuvraj respectively.
Lalwani was caught behind off Ishan’s delivery while trying to cut it too close to his body.

Four overs later, Ishan got rid of a set Jagadeesa Suchith, held in the slips, with another impressive delivery.
Shami, who was far from his best in terms of his rhythm and bowled nearly 15 overs in five spells, saved some blushes by claiming the last three wickets in his final over.
Akash Deep, the most expensive among pacers, rarely looked effective and finished wicket-less.
The scores:
Uttarakhand — 1st innings: Avneesh Sudha c Majumdar b Ishan 12, Prashant Chopra c Abishek b Jaiswal 23, Kunal Chandela b Jaiswal 7, Bhupen Lalwani c Abishek b Ishan 71, Shashwat Dangwal b Jaiswal 17, Yuvraj Choudhary c&b Jaiswal 19, Jagadeesa Suchith c Majumdar b Ishan 25, Abhay Negi (not out) 28, Janmejay Joshi b Shami 5, Rajan Chaudhury c Abishek b Shami 0, Devendra Bora b Shami 0; Extras: (lb-1, nb-3, w-2): 6; Total (72.5 overs): 213.
Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-42, 3-44, 4-88, 5-142, 6-164, 7-179, 8-212, 9-212.
Bengal bowling: Shami 14.5-4-37-3, Akash 16-2-53-0, Ishan 15-3-40-3, Jaiswal 19-4-54-4, Bhati 8-0-28-0.
Bengal — 1st innings: Abhimanyu Easwaran c Chopra b Bora 0, Sudip Chatterjee (batting) 1, Sudip Gharami (batting) 7; Total (for one wicket in five overs): 8.
Fall of wicket: 1-0.
Uttarakhand bowling: Bora 3-0-3-1, Rajan 2-0-5-0.
Toss: Bengal.
–EOM–