Internet Desk: Rookie pacer Ishan Porel’s five-for helped Bengal thrash Punjab by an innings and 19 runs in Ranji Trophy Group D clash at the Gandhi Ground in Amritsar on Sunday. The win took Bengal to No.2 spot in the Group and gives them a fantastic opportunity to qualify for the knock out stages when they meet Goa at Eden Gardens from November 25. Manoj and his team now have 20 points from 5 matches. Vidarbha leads the Group with 21 points.
Punjab began disastrously in their second innings reduced to 39 for three in the span of 15 overs. Ishan Porel removed both the openers Jiwanjot Singh and Shubham Gill after the duo got decent starts. Pradipto Pramanik meanwhile got Uday Kaul for naught.
Anmolpreet Singh and Gurkeerat Maan came to the wicket showing some purpose and determination. They played intelligently rotating strikes and dealing in boundaries. Gurkeerat’s 57 off 53 balls with 10 boundaries saw him setting a 90 run partnership with Anmolpreet for the fourth wicket before he was removed by B Amit. 21 runs later Anmolpreet’s innings (40 off 67 balls) built with six boundaries came to an end thanks to one from Gani that foxed the batter.
Once the duo got out, it was a matter of time. Ishan Porel came for his third spell and polished off Sandeep Sharma and Siddharth Kaul to take his tally to 5 for 32. He was ably supported by Pradipto and Amit who took two wickets each.
“I am feeling very satisfied having been able to scalp five wickets for Bengal for the first time and that too in a winning cause. We needed to win this match and the fact that I have been able to contribute in some way is even more satisfying. But these are early days and I have a lot more to give,” Ishan Porel said from Amritsar.
Earlier, Bengal ensured themselves of three points at least as they declared their first innings at 379 for nine with Avishek Raman completing a classy 155 before being caught by Uday Kaul off Sandeep Sharma. After Raman’s out only Amir Goni offered some resistance remaining not out on 35 off 49 balls with four boundaries and a six. However, it was Sreevats Goswami who was the first casualty of the day run out by Sandeep Sharma as he tried to push the runs and was found wanting.
Avishek Raman, who finished day 2 one short of 150, added six runs to his core before losing concentration and giving an easy catch to a delivery outside off stick. Anustup Majumdar, Pradipto Pramanik and Ashoke Dinda offered little resistance as they were cleaned by Siddharth Kaul who took his innings tally to five for 118. He was the only bowler in the Punjab rank who offered challenge to the Bengal batters with a probing line and length that kept the batsmen on their toes.
Former Indian cricket team captain and CAB president Sourav Ganguly said,”We have always done well away in recent times both in the shorter format as well as in Ranji Trophy.”
“It was no doubt a great performance from the team. They showed great character”