Bengal Command Ranji Trophy Match Against Haryana with Strong Lead
In a compelling display of cricketing prowess, Bengal established a dominant position in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group 'C' encounter against Haryana, finishing Day II with a commanding 248-run lead. The action unfolded at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Stadium in Lahli, where Bengal's strategic play and bowling excellence turned the tide decisively in their favor.
Early Setback and Swift Turnaround
Haryana initially sparked hope by wrapping up Bengal's first innings quickly, dismissing the remaining five wickets within the first hour to limit them to 193 runs. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as Haryana's batting lineup crumbled under pressure, managing only 100 runs in under 32 overs. This collapse handed Bengal a substantial 93-run first-innings advantage, setting the stage for their second-innings surge.
Bowling Masterclass by Akash Deep and Shahbaz
The demolition of Haryana's innings was orchestrated by Bengal's pace duo, Akash Deep and all-rounder Shahbaz, who delivered a clinical bowling performance. Akash Deep claimed impressive figures of 5/40, while Shahbaz matched him with 5/42, bowling 22 overs consecutively from either end without respite. Their precision was so effective that skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran did not need to deploy the team's spinners, with Mukesh Kumar bowling a mere five overs with the new ball.
Solid Batting in Second Innings
In their second innings, Bengal faced an early setback with the dismissal of Sudip Chatterjee for just 5 runs. However, Sudip Gharami and skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran steadied the ship with a robust 109-run partnership for the second wicket. Gharami played a brisk innings, scoring 61 off 62 balls, including six fours and two sixes, while Easwaran anchored the innings with an unbeaten 61. Although Bengal lost Gharami and Anushtup Majumder late in the day, Easwaran remained firm, supported by Rahul Prasad on 9 not out, ensuring Bengal ended the day in a strong position.
Haryana's Batting Collapse Detailed
Earlier in the day, Akash Deep set the tone for Bengal's dominance by dismissing Haryana skipper Ankit Kumar for a golden duck in his first over. He followed up by having wicketkeeper-batter Ashish Siwach caught behind in the next over. Shahbaz continued the onslaught, claiming the wickets of Yuvraj Singh and Parth Vyas in consecutive overs, reducing Haryana to 45 for five at lunch. The hosts could only add 55 more runs before being bowled out, effectively handing control of the match to Bengal.
With this performance, Bengal has positioned themselves favorably to push for a victory in the Ranji Trophy match, showcasing a blend of aggressive bowling and resilient batting that has put Haryana on the back foot.
