Bengal took a vital first innings lead of 58 runs against Orissa in a very important Ranji Trophy tie at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground at Kalyani.Winning the toss Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary elected to bat first.but were soon reduced to 56/5, thanks to some quality spin bowling from Dhiraj Singh . He was the best bowler for Orissa with a bowling spell of 20-2-58-5.Abhimanyu Easwaran was the top scorer for Bengal with 88 runs . The last wicket pair of Ashok Dinda and Abhimanyu Easwaran helped Bengal post a respectable total of 142. Singh made full use of the conditions early on by making the batsman play most of the deliveries .After opting to bat first ,Bengal’s top three recognised batsman got without scoring .However young Easwaran anchored the innings for Bengal .
In reply to Bengal’s first innings score of 142 , Orissa too were bundled out for a paltry 107 runs .Right arm off spinner Amir Gani rattled the Orissa batting line up by his controlled off spin. He recorded his career best figure of 12-3-34-6. Arabind singh was the highest scorer for Orissa. Pragyan Ojha and left arm spinner Anurag Tiwari took 2 wickets each.
In a rank turner 20 wickets fell down in a single day. Later Abhimanyu Easwaran admitted that it was a very tough wicket to bat .To get success in this kind of pitch one has to play with great concentration . The fate of the match will be decided on how Bengal bats in the 2nd day with an overnight score of 23 runs for no loss at he end of the Day One.
Orissa captain Nataraj Behera told the media that he expected Bengal would prepare a turning track given their strength in spin bowling department .
CAB president Mr Sourav Ganguly was present at the ground today .He sees nothing wrong in preparing a wicket that favours the home side . More so Bengal is playing an extra spinner in Anurag Tiwari . It goes to be seen how the second day pans out as the first session will be very crucial for both the teams . Both Orissa and Bengal are battling hard to secure a spot in the quarters .