CABThe Cricket Association of Bengal

Bengal's spirited show end in disappointing draw


28th December 2019
Bengal's Ranji Trophy encounter against Andhra ended in draw after losing many overs due to bad weather conditions and the hosts bagged 3 points thanks to first innings lead at Eden Gardens today.
Abhimanyu Easwaran and men will be disappointed with the three points as they dominated in almost every department and most parts of the game that unfortunately lost over 100 overs due to bad light and wet outfield.
Bengal pace attack once again troubled opponents today as debutant Akash Deep bagged two more wickets to end up with a figure of 3-36 while Ishan Porel bagged total 4 wickets for 50 runs to bundle Andhra for 181 runs and earn the first innings lead.
A disappointed Bengal coach Arun Lal said after the match: "We are very disappointed. We were playing fabulous cricket but unfortunately we lost more than 100 overs. Winning in two and a half days at this level is not possible."
"Next match is very important to us. Gujarat is ahead of us winning both matches while we've got only 9 points despite playing fabulous cricket. We need to beat them," he added.
C Gnaneshwar and Manish Golamaru resumed the fourth day on 110/7 for Andhra with the aim to save follow-on which was 30 runs away while Bengal pacers tried to wrap up as early as possible.
Debutant Akash Deep struck early by removing Golamaru on 11 to reduce them to 130/8 but Gnaneshwar showed off some gritty skills to save the visitors from follow-on and stayed unbeaten till the end on 74.
Lal heaped praise on Abhishek Raman who smashed back-to-back centuries in last two matches and Ishan who's in fiery form with the ball saying: "Ishan is among the top five bowlers right now in the country and he has changed a lot from last year. Abhishek batted exceptionally and he has become Man of the Match in both matches scoring tons in each. He is very committed."
"Akash Deep also bowled well. He's the man for Bengal in future," he added about Akash.
The hosts batted for 21 overs in the second innings and made 46 runs before the game came to an early end.
Bengal will take on Gujarat next in the same venue on 3 January.




CAB MEDIA DESK
Rio Dutta