Dehradun: Opener Abhimanyu Easwaran produced a batting masterclass smashing an unbeaten 141 along with Sudip Kumar Gharami (90) to put Bengal in a commanding position at 269/3 against Uttarakhand at stumps on Day 1 in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash at Abhimanyu Cricket Academy here on Tuesday.
Playing at his hometown and in a stadium named after him, Easwaran used this special occasion to make it more memorable by scoring back-to-back centuries after his match-winning 170 against Nagaland in the previous match. On the other hand, the talented Gharami, who scored 104 against Nagaland, too continued his hot form but was unlucky to miss out on another ton this season.
Earlier put into bat, Bengal began their proceedings positively with openers Easwaran and Sayan. Sekhar Mandal (18) not being troubled much by the Uttarakhand bowlers. As the duo looked set for their 100-run opening partnership, Mayank Mishra cleaned up Sayan in the 20th over to put Bengal at 84/1. With Easwaran in the middle and in-form Gharami coming in, Bengal camp never looked to panic.
From there on, the local boy used his experience and taking advantage of the familiar conditions along with young Gharami added a 170-run stand for the second wicket to take team past the 250-run mark.
To make things worse for the opposition, Easwaran smashed 12 fours and a six, while Gharami hit 11 boundaries and a maximum. Gharami, who looked determined for his third ton of the Ranji season, missed out after being dismissed by Mayank in the 75th over of the day.
Easwaran and Anustup Majumdar (3) stood firm in the final hour of play but Mayank got rid off Anustup in the 85th over to reduce Bengal to 269/3 at stumps. With Easwaran still unbeaten and skipper Manoj Tiwary and Shahbaz Ahmed to follow, Bengal will aim to pile on some quick runs on Day 2 and post a massive total. (UNI)
