Internet Desk: Bengal had to settle for only three points in their Ranji Trophy opener against Services at the Palam Air Force Ground in Delhi. Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary declared the second innings for 161/5, giving Services a target of 355 runs to win. But they could only manage 212/7 at the end of fourth days play. Bengal got 3 points from the match while Services had to be content with just 1 point from the Group D clash.
Earlier, Bengal started their second innings on 77/0 with a lead of 270 runs. The two overnight batsmen Abhisek Raman and Abhimanyu Easwaran did not trouble the scorers. Raman (40 runs) gave a catch to Arun Bamal off the bowling of Diwesh Pathania. First innings centurion Sudip Chatterjee could only add 19 runs off 14 balls as Bengal lost their second wicket for 99 runs. The left hander was scuffed up by Suraj Yadav as he gave a simple catch to Nakul Verma, trying to score some quick runs. Abhimanyu Easwaran (39) was the next batsmen to get out. India test wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha scored only 15 runs off 10 balls as he also tried to score some quick runs. Dinda, who scored a quickfire half century in the first innings, was bowled by Diwesh Pathania for 4 runs with the score reading 153/5. Captain Manoj Tiwary remained not out on 22 along with Mohammed Shami who scored 8 runs. The India pacer scored a six off the second ball he faced. Bengal declared their second innings on 161/5.
In reply Services scored 212/7. Vikash Hathwala was the top scorer for the home team with 64 runs. Left arm medium pacer Kanisk Seth returned with 2/18 while leggie Anustup Majumder also picked 2 wickets for 46 runs. Mohammed Shami, Ashoke Dinda and Aamir Gani all returned with one wicket apiece.
Bengal next play Chattisgarh at Raipur from October 14.
Brief scores:
Bengal: 552/9 decl. & 161/5 decl.
Services: 359 & 212/7
Points- Bengal 3 pts & Services 1 pts