Sudip Gharami's Unbeaten Century Steadies Bengal in Ranji Semifinal
In a display of resilience and skill, Sudip Gharami crafted an unbeaten 136 to anchor Bengal's innings on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy semifinal against Jammu and Kashmir at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani. After being put in to bat, Bengal faced early pressure but managed to reach stumps at 249 for five, largely thanks to Gharami's determined knock.
Early Wickets and Gharami's Steady Response
The day began with a setback for Bengal as left-arm pacer Sunil Kumar dismissed opener Sudip Chatterjee in the second over, caught in the slips. However, Gharami, fresh from his career-best 299 in the quarter-final against Andhra at the same venue, picked up where he left off. He faced 227 deliveries, showcasing patience and precision to remain not out at the close of play.
The first hour proved challenging for Bengal's batters, with both Gharami and captain Abhimanyu Easwaran looking tentative against the disciplined bowling from J&K's pace attack. Gharami survived two DRS calls, while Easwaran weathered a caught behind appeal. Gradually, the pair found their footing, guiding Bengal to lunch at 80 for one.
J&K's Fightback and Gharami's Milestone
Jammu and Kashmir struck back immediately after the break, with star pacer Auqib Nabi bowling Easwaran for 49 in the second over post-lunch. Nabi then had Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal caught behind, reducing Bengal to 89 for three. Nabi, who looked particularly dangerous after changing ends, finished with figures of 2 for 48.
Despite the wickets, Gharami held firm, reaching his third century of this Ranji season in 144 balls, adorned with 15 fours and one six. He found support from Shahbaz Ahmed, who contributed 42 runs in a crucial partnership. J&K missed an opportunity to break this stand when wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan dropped a regulation catch off Shahbaz, allowing Bengal to consolidate their position.
Late Drama and Day's Summary
In a late twist, J&K managed to claim Shahbaz's wicket on the penultimate ball of the day, providing a glimmer of hope. Sunil Kumar complemented Nabi's efforts with 2 for 31, keeping the visitors in the contest.
Brief Scores: Bengal 249/5 (Sudip Gharami batting 136, Abhimanyu Easwaran 49, Shahbaz Ahmed 42; Auqib Nabi 2-48, Sunil Kumar 2-31) vs Jammu and Kashmir.
This innings underscores Gharami's growing stature in domestic cricket, as he continues to deliver under pressure, setting up an intriguing second day in this high-stakes semifinal clash.
