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[caption id="attachment_27519" align="alignnone" width="580"] Sudip Chatterjee smashed his seventh first class century against Tamil Nadu on Monday. File Pic.[/caption] Internet Desk: A brilliant century from Sudip Chatterjee helped Bengal post 337 runs in the first innings against Tamil Nadu in a Group A match at Rajkot. The left hander who was forced to retired hurt yesterday came back to bat today to score a patient 100. Krishnamoorthy Vignesh was the most successful bowler for TN with four wickets. Tamil Nadu in reply is 60/1. Ashoke Dinda striking in his first over after sending back MS Washington Sundar bowled for 4 runs. Bengal started Day 2 on 190/3. T Natarajan got the first breakthrough for Tamil Nadu, getting rid of Agniv Pan for 59 runs. Another overnight batsman Sreevats Goswami too did not last long as he was caught by Jagdeeshan of the bowling of Vignesh for 35 runs. Sudip, who joined Sreevats at the fall of Agniv, built useful partnerships with Aamir Gani and Ashoke Dinda to take the score past 300 runs. Sudip reached his hundred off 253 balls and included 9 fours. A relieved Sudip later told xtratime.in , “It was the toughest century in my career. The wicket was slow and batting was difficult as the ball was not coming on to the bat. The Tamil Nadu bowlers were all bowling a good line and length backed by some good fielding. It was tough going in the middle.” Sudip retired hurt yesterday as he pulled his hamstring. On being asked about his injury, the left hander said, “Manojda (Tiwary) told me to bat today irrespective of the injury. His words gave me a lot of courage. I am happy that I could contribute with my bat. But I feel we were 50-60 runs short.” It was Sudip’s seventh first class hundred. The left hander had a great start to the Ranji season last year scoring 4 hundreds from the first 6 matches. But the runs have dried from the talented batsman since. His last three figure score came for India Red against India Green in Duleep Trophy. He scored 114 runs in the second innings. Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary lauded Sudip’s effort with the bat. According to Manoj, “He showed a lot of character, batting with the injury. The team needed a big knock from him and he responded well. It speaks a lot about his temperament.” Gani scored 11 runs while Dinda made 21. Sayan Ghosh and Amit Kuila did not trouble the scorers as both were dismissed by Vignesh K. Sudip also frey prey to Vignesh as the left hander was caught by Jagdeeshan for a well made 100 runs. Pragyan Ojha remained not out for 14 runs. Bengal managed to reach 337 runs from 154 overs. Tamil Nadu in reply had an awful start with opener MS Washington Sunder getting bowled to Dinda in the first over. Tamil Nadu was 5/1. Abhinav Mukund had a loud shout against him when he was on 8 runs. According to the Bengal team management Mukund was clearly plumbed in front of the wicket. But since then Tamil Nadu Captain Abhinav Mukund (19) and Kaushik Gandhi (25) has taken the score to 60/1 at stumps on Day 3. Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary reckons the match is evenly poised. According to Manoj, “The wicket is a bit slow but at the same time it has started reversing as well. Our bowlers need to bowl at the right areas. Discipline will be the key for us.” Left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha suffered a slight niggle after being hit by a ball in his left elbow. According to team sources, he is recovering well and will be fit to bowl.