Debasis Sen, Kolkata
A late burst from Mohammed Shami (three wickets in an over) saw Uttarakhand bowled out for 213 on Day 1 of the Ranji Trophy fixture against Bengal at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
Shami, who failed to take a wicket until the 72nd over, picked up three in his 15th. He was well supported by Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal (19-4-54-4) and Ishan Porel (15-3-40-3). In reply, Bengal lost their captain off the first ball of the innings. Abhimanyu Easwaran was caught behind by Prashant Chopra off the bowling of Devendra Bora. Bengal were 8/1 at stumps, with Sudip Gharami not out on seven and Sudip Chatterjee on one.
Jaiswal was the standout performer on Day 1. Bengal’s highest wicket-taker last season, he looked the most threatening among the pace quartet. Shami failed to make an impact in the first two sessions. The India discard, playing his first competitive fixture since the Duleep Trophy and just his second first-class match since the 2023 WTC final, struggled for rhythm. He was used in short bursts by Easwaran (five spells on the first day). Shami showed a glimpse of his class by getting rid of the No. 9, 10 and 11.
Bengal won the toss and chose to bowl with a four-man pace attack of Shami, Akash Deep, Ishan and Jaiswal. Shami and Akash Deep went wicketless in their opening spells. Shami delivered four overs and Akash Deep five. The first breakthrough was given by Ishan, who induced an edge from opener Avneesh Sudha, which was taken at second slip by Anustup Majumdar. Jaiswal bowled a perfect out-swinger to have Chopra caught behind by Abhishek Porel. He followed that up with the dismissal of Uttarakhand skipper Kunal Chandela, clean bowling him for just seven. Jaiswal’s first spell read 6-0-12-2. At lunch, Uttarakhand were 76/3 in 31 overs.
After the break, Shami was reintroduced from the High Court End, while Jaiswal continued from the Club House End. The latter struck again in his second over post-lunch, bowling Sashwat Dangwal, who had added 44 runs for the fourth wicket. In his second spell, Jaiswal gave away 12 runs in six overs and picked up one wicket.
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Meanwhile, Bhupen Lalwani brought up his fifty off 71 balls. Bengal’s fielding left much to be desired. Yuvraj Singh was dropped on 15 by Ishan at deep point when the score was 136/4. He was eventually dismissed — caught and bowled by Jaiswal — after sharing a 54-run stand with Lalwani. At Tea, Uttarakhand were 159/5, with Lalwani unbeaten on 69 and Jagadeshan Suchith on 8.
After tea, Lalwani was finally dismissed for a well-made 71, caught behind off Ishan. The lanky fast bowler followed it up with another wicket as he got rid of Suchith caught by Majumdar at gully with the total reading 179/7.
Brief scores
Uttarakhand 213 in 72.5 ovs (Bhupen Lalwani 71, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal 4/54, Mohammed Shami 3/37, Ishan Porel 3/40) vs Bengal 8/1.
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