Bengal could not capitalize their good start in their crucial Ranji trophy tie against Assam . Bengal finished the day at 191/4 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium here in Guwahati . Despite the quick departure of opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, the duo of Sayan Sekhar Mondal and Sudip Chatterjee added 140 runs for the 2nd wicket. Bengal was pegged back again after losing Sayan Sekhar Mondal and Manoj Tiwari in quick succession with the score on 176 . Bengal ended the day at 191/4 before the umpires called off the days play due to bad light after 76 overs .
Earlier in the day , Assam captain Gokul Sharma decided to field first after winning the toss . In form quickie Krishna Das dealt an early blow , sending Bengal opener Abhimany Easwaran back to the hut . In form Sudip Chatterjee coming back after scoring 4 tons in the season steadied the Bengal innings with Sayan Sekhar Mondal for a partnership of 140 runs for the second wicket .The duo played some wonder full shots around the wicket and looked confident. Assam on the other hand did not let Bengal off the hook , as they constantly checked the runs .
Sudip Chatterjee scored 65 runs before being dismissed by Assam captain Gokul Sharma. Sharma trapped the left hander plumbed before the wicket and the umpire did not hesitate to raise his finger. Although the Bengal team management is not too happy with the decision. According to Bengal team management there was a slight inside edge.Sayan Sekhar Mondal scored his 3rd half century of this season. This was his highest score in first class
career. Insipte of Sudip’s dismissal Sayan Sekhar steadied the innings for Bengal . Sayan scored 87 runs before being dismissed by Amit Verma trapped leg before . Soon to follow was Bengal captain after
Krishna Das got the prized scalp of Manoj Tiwary who managed a paltry 12 runs at the score on 176 runs . Amit Sinha took a blinder at point to dismiss the Bengal Captain.
Bengal will look up to Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Shreevats Goswami to take them to a score of respectability .
Sayan Sekhar Mondal feels there is nothing to fear about the wicket as the key to score runs is to stay on this wicket .
But the good news for Bengal is that the ball has already started turning and with two quality spinners in their ranks , Manoj Tiwary would like to have a respectable score on board .Taking a lead would be very crucial for both teams as it can decide their fate in the Ranji season ahead .
Brief scores -Bengal 191/4 ,Sayan Sekhar Mondal-87,Sudip Chatterjee-65,
Krishna Das-24-12-39-2