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Internet Desk: Bengal collapsed to an embarrassing 21 runs loss against Baroda in a Ranji Trophy Group A clash at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Stadium at Lahli on Tuesday. Requiring a modest 155 runs to win, Manoj Tiwary and his team were bowled out for 133 runs in 46 overs. The match did not even last for six sessions, thereby raising serious questions about the quality of the wickets on neutral venues. In the last two days a total of 439 runs were scored and 40 wickets tumbled at the venue. This is what the former Bengal cricketers said on the loss against Baroda.

Sambaran Banerjee: I couldn’t remember when a Ranji Trophy match got over in two days. I felt Manoj should have batted first on this wicket. It was always going to be tougher to bat on this wicket in the fourth innings. At the same time our batsmen blundered in the first innings after restricting them for only 97 runs. We must back our boys as we still have a chance to qualify for the knockouts.

Utpal Chatterjee: I reckon the wicket at Lahli was the villain. A first class match like Ranji Trophy shouldn’t have been played at Lahli. The conditions were so favorable for seamers. Bengal batsmen have themselves to blame for not applying themselves. The bowlers also need to be blamed for not being able to finish off the tail after getting them on the mat, reducing them to 71/6 in the second innings. The last four Baroda batsmen added 62 runs.

Deep Dasgupta: I will not blame the Bengal players because the conditions were really tough in Lahli. But we need to back our boys as they still have a chance to qualify for the knockouts. They had a great start to the season but have lost the momentum in last couple of matches against Tamil Nadu and now in this match. The players need to leave aside the disappointment and stay focused for the remaining matches.

Saradindu Mukherjee: Getting out for 76 runs was an indication of what was going to happen. As soon Baroda extended the lead over 150 runs, it looked Bengal will always find it difficult. The batsmen should have applied themselves as was evident from Manoj. The team management would have promoted someone like Sreevats to bat higher up the order, as he could have attacked their bowling.

Laxmi Ratan Shukla: You will not get flat wickets every time. The players specially the batsmen should have prepared themselves well. Having played at Lahli in recent time, I feel the conditions have not changed at all. But I have full confidence in Manoj and his team to bounce back in the season.