Players Details
Fixture & Results
Raman's ton puts Bengal in command
25th December 2019
Bengal showed off their dominance at Eden Gardens riding on Abhishek Raman's superb unbeaten century against Andhra in Ranji Trophy today.
Continuing his fine form with the willow Raman hit 110 not out off 255 balls to make it two tons in a row while Manoj Tiwary and Koushik Ghosh lend crucial support as Bengal posted 241/4 in 83 Overs at the end of the first days play.
Abhishek who reached the three digit mark with a six said: "I am feeling good and confident scoring consecutive tons. I was a little bit tensed before completing my century as I got out four times in 90s."
"The game is in good position and scoring big is our target. We'll assess the situation tomorrow and play accordingly as the new ball will come into play. Our first target is to negate the new ball , then me and Sreevats will try to maintain a long innings and after that if 200 happens it's a bonus. Andhra have a good bowling attack," he added.
Earlier put to bat first Bengal's fluent start suffered an early setback losing skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran (6) to get reduced to 33/1.
Raman stiched a 66-run partnership with Koushik to steady the ship and help Bengal go into the lunch in a strong position with 88/1 on the scoreboard.
Koushik's gritty innings came to an end after being adjudged lbw off Shoaib Khan on 37 while Raman went on to build two more important partnerships with Manoj and Sudip Chatterjee.
Manoj went back on 46 off Prithvi Raj Yarra right after tea while Sudip (18) lost his wicket close to the end of the of the day.
When asked about Bengal's performance today coach Arun Lal said: "I think it's a very good performance by the boys. We lost the toss, our ace batter Abhimanyu didn't score much, yet we are here at 243/4. Whatever happens we'll fight and we have this belief that we can win this game. Tomorrow if Raman and Sreevats can handle it well then we'll surely control the game. Kaushik is batting brilliantly, probably one of the best in the team."
Three Andhra players had to leave the ground because of injury as Manish Golamaru was taken to the hospital after suspected dislocation of shoulder while Yarra and Ricky Bhui got injured during fielding.
With experienced Sreevats Goswami batting along with Raman Bengal will surely aim for a mammoth total against a mediocre Andhra bowling attack.
CAB MEDIA DESK
Rio Dutta
