Internet Desk: Bengal continued their great run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, as they defeated Goa by 8 wickets thanks to skipper Manoj Tiwary’s century at the T I Murugappa Ground, Chennai on Tuesday. Goa posted a meager 213 runs from 50 overs, thanks to some tight bowling by the Bengal bowlers. In reply Bengal chased the target successfully with 14 overs to spare. Manoj remained not out on 116 runs along with Abhimanyu Eswaran, who scored 68* at the end.
Earlier Goa won the toss and elected to bat first against Bengal. Manoj’s men bowled really well as Kanishk Seth took 3 wickets and Aamir Gani got two wickets respectively. Bengal bowling spearhead Ashoke Dinda didn’t get any wicket but he backed the other bowlers very well as he gave just 22 runs in his allotted ten overs. Amogh Desai scored 49 runs for Goa along with Bandekar (32) as they reached 213 in 50 overs.
In reply, Shreevats Goswami failed to make a good start as he got out on just 8 runs. Returning from an injury Sudip Chatterjee also added only 9 runs to the scoreboard. At a stage Bengal were at 45/2, after that Manoj and Abhimanyu held the innings together. They have added 169 runs for the fourth wicket to give Bengal their second successive win in the tournament. Tiwary hit 13 boundaries and three towering sixes to ultimately remain undefeated on 116 which came off 94 deliveries. It was Manoj’s fourth List A ton. Manoj last hit a List A ton (130) against Vidarbha in the Vijay Hazare Trophy meet in Rajkot in 2014.
Manoj was very happy with his performance. On being asked about his knock today he said,” I am very happy that I have led my side from the front. Shreevats and Sudip got out early in the innings and our team was in a spot of bother. I went to the crease with positive intent and I knew that if we hit back hard the game will be ours.”
Manoj was very happy with Abhimanyu Eswaran’s too. They both added 116 runs for the 4th wicket which helped Bengal to win the match.” I had told earlier that Abhimanyu is a very good batsman in days game and he is improving in the 50 overs format day by day. We have to give more chances to the youngsters which will help them to play well in pressure situations,” he added.
Bengal will face Team Rajasthan in their next encounter on Wednesday.