A 213-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Shreevats Goswami and Anustup Majumdar bailed Bengal out of a batting collapse against Goa on the opening day of Group D Ranji Trophy match here at the Eden Gardens on Saturday. Both Goswami and Majumdar scored a hundred each to get Bengal to a comfortable 305 for five at stumps.
Scorecard
Looking for three points that would ensure a place in the quarterfinals, Bengal top order failed to rise up to the occasion, after Goa had asked the host to bat. Bengal tottered at 79 for four with all its top order back in the pavilion as the Goa pacers made full use of the conditions in the morning.
The three Goa pacers Heramb Parab, Felix Alemao and Lakshay Garg bowled with discipline while gaining movement both in air and off the surface. Alemao got rid of Bengal opener Abhishek Raman in his very first over (Bengal’s second) with a fine delivery that caught the latter leg-before.
Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sudip Chatterjee got together to defend the Goa pace attack for the next nine overs before the latter’s patience was breached by Garg in the 11th over. Chatterjee returned with just one run after playing 23 deliveries, paving way for the Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary who manage only a duck. The other opener Easwaran (46) managed some resistance and would count himself unlucky in missing the half century. Bengal top order was back in the pavilion by the 28th over.
Goswami, Bengal’s wicketkeeper batsman, and Majumdar then got into the resurrection act as the Goa bowlers seemed to lose their focus after Lunch. Goswami, who was given two reprieves during his stay at the wicket by a lax Goa fielding, was the more expressive among the two.
He struck 20 boundaries to reach his 139 (194 balls) before falling to the Goa left-arm spinner Amulya Pandrekar. Majumdar is still holding the other end remaining unbeaten on 107 (182b, 13x4) as Bengal will look for consolidation on the second day.
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