CALCUTTA (India): Anustup Majumdar stroked an unbeaten century to help Bengal overcome a top order collapse as the hosts ended the opening day on 275 for nine against Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy semifinal here on Saturday.
“It was challenge for me as I was dropped from the team last season. I had to quit Railways job just to play for Bengal,” said Majumdar, who slammed an unbeaten 120 (173 balls; 18×4, 1×6) to revive Bengal after they were put into bat.
Bengal top-order collapse again
“Our top order has failed once again. That’s created a lot of pressure on the lower-order batsmen,” added Majumdar, who hit a career-best 157 from a similar position against Odisha in the quarterfinals.
Bengal are making a bid to reach the final after 13 years.
The first day’s play also saw the first dismissal via DRS in domestic cricket when Karnataka pace spearhead Abhimanyu Mithun got the wicket of Abhishek Raman (0) in the 16th delivery of the innings.
The DRS was used for the first time in India’s domestic circuit in the two ongoing Ranji semifinals, but only with limited options as there was no HawkEye, Snickometer or UltraEdge.
Bengal lost their top batsmen including skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran (15) and Manoj Tiwary (8), cheaply leaving the hosts in a spot of bother.
They were 62/4, but Majumdar put up a brave effort to revive the innings.
But Ronit More (2/45) gave a double blow, dismissing a well-set Sudip Chatterjee (20) and Shreevats Goswami (0) in four balls to reduce the home side at 67/6 at lunch.
Majumdar, who returned to Bengal in 2016 after poor form with the Indian Railways, put up a century stand for the ninth wicket with Akash Deep (44).
“Me and Akash put on a century partnership. That helped a bit. But we are hoping that our pace bowlers maintain their form and bowl well against Karnataka on Sunday. If that happens, we will gain advantage,” added Majumdar.
All-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed also played his part with a 72-run partnership with Majumdar that came in quick time (119 balls).
In Rajkot, Arzan Nagwaswalla claimed three wickets as Gujarat bowlers produced a disciplined show and restricted Saurashtra to 217 for five on the opening day in the other semis.
For the hosts, only Sheldon Jackson (69 not out) was able to convert his start at the SCA stadium.
