Last Update: January 31, 2023, 7:24 PM IST
Bengal fast bowler Akash Deep (Twitter Image)
Bengal pace trio of Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar (3/61) and Ishan Porel (1/26) took eight wickets between them to enjoy bowling-friendly conditions.
Bengal, led by pacer Akash Deep, took four wickets in a brilliant performance to bundle out Jharkhand for 173 in their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal clash at the Eden Gardens here on Tuesday. The Bengal pace trio of Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar (3/61) and Ishan Porel (1/26) took eight wickets between them to enjoy bowling-friendly conditions after the home team skipper Manoj Tiwary won a good toss.
More than half of Jharkhand’s score was scored by their No.3 batsman Kumar Suraj, who looked calm and elegant as he scored an unbeaten 89.
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The left-handed batsman hit some good cover drives, using his wrists to score beautifully on both sides of the wickets but fell just 11 runs short of a third first-class century.
Suraj batted deep in his crease to negate the pace threat from the Bengal pacers and carried his bat but wickets kept falling at the other end.
Jharkhand’s number 11 batsman Ashish Kumar (12 off 8 balls) was one of four Jharkhand batsmen to reach double figures and helped brighten Sooraj’s century chances.
But Ashish fell after a mix-up as Bengal ended their innings in 66.2 overs. Together they added 20 runs for the last wicket.
Bad light meant that Bengal could not bat in the first innings with 21 overs remaining at the end of the first day.
After opting to bowl, Bengal got off to a good start with Kumar Deobrat cleaning up the incoming delivery with Akash Deep.
He bowled with quick pace and precise line, making it difficult for Jharkhand, who lost half their team for 77 runs.
Akash Deep picked up his fourth victim with a yorker that caught Shahbaz Nadeem. Standing at the other end, Mukesh Kumar made Rahul Shukla (0) his third victim.
Brief Score Jharkhand 173; 66.2 overs (Kumar Suraj 89 not out; Akash Deep 4/62, Mukesh Kumar 3/61) v Bengal.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)