Ranji Trophy 2016: Ojha stars in Bengal’s 115 runs win against Punjab

Bengal
Pragyan Ojha guided Bengal to a 115 runs win over Punjab in Ranji Trophy tie at Luhnu on Sunday. File Pic.

Kolkata: Left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha playing in his 100th first class match made it a memorable one as he helped Bengal register a 115 runs win against Punjab in Ranji Trophy Group A clash in Luhnu on Sunday. Ojha picked four crucial wickets for Bengal including the wicket of Yuvraj Singh and Manan Vohra. Requiring 360 runs to win Punjab were bowled out for 244 runs in 72.3 overs. Bengal opener Sayan Sekhar Mondal was adjudged the Man of the Match for his 135 runs in the first innings. The win ensured Bengal 6 points.

Earlier, Bengal did not added much to its overnight score of 182/5. They were bowled out for 226 runs in 64.5 overs. Sreevats Goswami was the first batsman to be dismissed. The wicket-keeper batsman was out caught by Yuvraj Singh of the bowling of Sandeep Sharma for 25 runs.

Double strikes from Sidharth Kaul to get rid of Ayan Bhattacharya and Pragyan Ojha reduced Bengal to 205/8. Both Ayan and Ojha did not trouble the scorers. While Ayan was caught and bowled by Kaul, Ojha had his stumps uprooted by the same bowler.

Kaul struck again as he bowled Dinda for 8 runs to leave Bengal on 226/9.

Trying to notch his 23rd first class ton Bengal Captain Manoj Tiwary eventually gave in as he was caught by Gitansh Khera off Sandeep Sharma for 92 runs. Manoj’s knock included 12 hits to the fence and a six. Bengal were bowled out for 226 runs in 64.5 overs.

Punjab chasing a target of 360 runs to win were off to a great start as openers Manan Vohra and Jiwanjot Singh added a 100 runs for the first wicket.

Ashoke Dinda gave Bengal its first breakthrough as he had Jiwanjot caught by Pankaj Shaw for 44 runs. Debutant Amit Kuila got rid of Uday Kaul caught behind for 7 runs. India spinner Pragyan Ojha , playing in his 100th Ranji Trophy game struck immediately. The left arm spinner got the wicket of Gitansh Khera who was caught by Agniv Pan. Khera was out for a duck.

Punjab Captain Yuvraj Singh who looked positive in his intent played some elegant strokes. He was attacking from the start hitting two sixes off Ojha. But it was Ojha who had the last laugh as he bowled Yuvraj for 26 runs, leaving Punjab in some sort of concern. Yuvraj in his short stay scored 26 runs off 22 balls that included one four and two sixes. Punjab at that time were 156/4.

Soon to follow Yuvraj was Gurkeerat Mann as he was plumbed in front of the wicket by Amit Kuila. Mann scored only 1 run.

Bengal got a huge breakthrough as Manan Vohra who was keeping steady at one end returned next. He was caught by Manoj Tiwary of the bowling of Ojha for 75 runs.Vohra’s innings included 10 fours. Punjab were 162/6.

Vinay Choudhary did not trouble the scorers as he was caught behind by Sreevats off Ojha after two balls. Dinda struck again as he had Taruwar Kohli caught behind for 9 runs with Punjab staring at defeat on 188/8. Sandeep Sharma departed next, bowled by Kuila for 14 runs.

The last pair of Siddharth Kaul and Manpreet Singh Grewal added frustration for Bengal as they put on 55 runs. Grewal was aggressive of the two as he raced to 43 runs of 35 balls. His knock included 5 fours and 3 sixes. He was wrapped up by Ayan Bhattacharya as he had him caught behind. Kaul remained not out on 11 runs. Ojha was the most successful bowler for Bengal getting 4 wickets for 70 runs.

Bengal plays their next tie against Railways at Dharamsala from October 27-30. India stumper Wriddhiman Saha is likely to play in that match, further strengthening Manoj Tiwary’s side.

Brief Scores: 

Bengal: 404 all out, 182/5 (Sayan Sekhar Mondal 135, Sandeep Sharma 4/96)

Punjab: 271 all out, (Uday Kaul 77, Ashoke Dinda 5/58, Amit Kuila 5/76)

Bengal: 226 all out (Manoj Tiwary 92, Siddharth Kaul 6/57)

Punjab: 244 all out (Manan Vohra 75,  Pragyan Ojha 4/70)