Bengal batters keep Services hopes afloat in second round of Ranji Trophy

The bowlers did a fabulous job to help Bengal regain the momentum in the second round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy. But the batting group made a hash of the bowlers’ effort once again to bring Services back into the contest.

At stumps on Day II at Palam ground A in New Delhi, Services were 12 without loss and needed another 197 for victory, after Bengal were shot out for 146 in their second innings.

The game, so far, has had a fair amount of similarity with Bengal’s semi-final clash last season against eventual champions Jammu and Kashmir. In that game as well, the batting line-up’s insipid showing had cost Bengal the game despite a crucial first-innings lead.

Earlier, left-arm spinner all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed and off-break bowler Aamir Gani took four wickets apiece as Bengal skittled Services out for 122 in the first innings for a sizeable 62-run lead. Services, though, were already in trouble when they resumed on 83/5.

Captain Abhimanyu Easwaran (30) and newcomer Ankur Paul had given Bengal a solid start, too, in their second essay.

The opening duo stitched 49 in just 10 overs before Bengal lost all their wickets for the addition of just 97.

The Bengal team management is learnt to be quite annoyed with the umpiring decisions that led to the dismissals of both Easwaran and his deputy, Sudip Gharami. However, the shot selection of the rest of the batsmen left a lot to be desired.

“The bounce in that pitch is a little uncertain. Still, it’s reasonably good for batting. Our batters should have shown a little more application,” head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla said later.

Brief scores: Bengal 184 & 146 (Rahul Singh 5/39). Services 122 (Shahbaz Ahmed 4/35, Aamir Gani 4/31) & 12/0. At Stumps, Day II.