A stellar performance from the fast bowlers led by Akashdeep helped Bengal bundle out Jharkhand for 173 in their first innings on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final here on Tuesday. The pace trio of Akashdeep (4/62), Mukesh Kumar (3/61) and Ishan Porel (1/26) combined to take seven wickets, taking advantage of the fast-bowling pitch at Eden Gardens. More than half the runs for Jharkhand were scored by Kumar Suraj, who came in to bat at number three and scored an unbeaten 89.
Suraj played some attractive shots and scored runs all over the ground. However, he could not complete his third first-class century by just 11 runs. Apart from Suraj, only Pankaj Kumar (21), Ashish Kumar (12) and Shahbaz Nadeem (10) could reach double digits. Jharkhand’s innings was reduced to 66.2 overs after Ashish was run out. Due to bad light, the Bengal team did not come out to bat and had to end the day’s play 21 overs earlier. Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary won the toss and elected to bowl first, after which the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals. Jharkhand had lost five wickets for 77 runs but Suraj played a key role in taking the team’s score beyond 150 runs.
