Manoj (100), bowlers put Bengal on top against Assam in Ranji Trophy


27th January 2024
Skipper Manoj Tiwary scored his 30th first-class century followed by a dominant performance by the bowlers put Bengal in a commanding position at stumps on Day 2 against Assam in the fourth Elite Group B match at the ACA Stadium in Barsapara, Guwahati, on Saturday.
Manoj smashed a fighting 100 off 264 balls along with Anustup Majumdar (125) while useful contributions lower down the order by Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal (52) and Karan Lal (52) powered Bengal to a challenging 405 in their first innings.
In reply, Assam, who were reduced to 99/8 at the end of the second day, still trail by a massive 306 runs.
Suraj (3-25), Mohammad Kaif (3-32) and debutant Ankit Mishra (2-22) were ruthless with the ball for Bengal.
Earlier, resuming the day from overnight score of 242/4, Bengal managed to add 26 runs in the morning before the 211-run partnership for the fifth wicket ended with the dismissal of Anustup.
Incoming batsman and centurion from the last match, Abishek Porel also fell without scoring reduce the visitors to 270/6.
However Manoj and Karan stitched together a short partnership to take team past the 300-run mark.
After the dismissal of Manoj, Suraj and Karan batted positively, displaying a counter-attacking approach to add 74 runs for the eighth wicket to take team closer to the 400-run mark.
For Assam, Mukhtar Hussain was the pick of the bowlers bagging 4 for 86.
In reply, Assam batters, in their first innings, were put to a tough test against a young and quality Bengal pace attack.
Suraj and Kaif bowled superbly to reduce the hosts to 35/4 inside 10 overs.
As all other batters faltered, Denish Das top-scored with 50 runs.
After his dismissal, wickets fell at regular intervals to put the home side in trouble at 99/8 as stumps were drawn on the second day.

CAB MEDIA DESK
Arindam Basu