Bengal Dominate Services on Day II, Eye Comprehensive Victory in Ranji Trophy
In a commanding display at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani, the Bengal cricket team has positioned themselves for an outright victory after their pace attack dismantled the Services batting lineup on the second day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group 'C' match on Friday. The visitors were reduced to 126 for eight at stumps, still trailing by a massive 393 runs after Bengal posted a formidable first-innings total of 519.
Pace Trio Wreak Havoc on Services Batting Order
The Bengal pace battery, led by Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal and Akash Deep who claimed three wickets each, exploited the conditions effectively to put their team in a dominant position. Adding to the attack, experienced campaigner Mohammed Shami contributed with two crucial wickets, giving Bengal fans hope that their team might secure a spot in the knockout rounds with this performance.
Services had begun their innings with some resilience as openers Shubham Rohilla and Gaurav Kochar put together 41 runs in the first 12 overs. However, the complexion of the innings changed dramatically when Shami clean bowled Kochar with the first ball of the 13th over, opening the floodgates for Bengal's bowlers.
Post-Tea Collapse Sees Services Lose Seven Wickets
The post-tea session witnessed a spectacular collapse from Services as they lost seven wickets for just 85 runs. First-change bowler Jaiswal initiated the slide by having Rohilla caught and bowled, while Shami dismantled Mohit Ahlawat's stumps to reduce Services to 50 for three.
Jaiswal continued his impressive spell by dismissing Ravi Chauhan and Vineet Dhankhar in consecutive deliveries, effectively breaking the backbone of Services' resistance. Akash Deep then joined the party, accounting for skipper Rajat Paliwal, Arjun Sharma, and Jayant Goyat to complete the rout.
Only Nakul Sharma, playing a lone hand with an unbeaten 32, and Aditya Kumar (8 not out) managed to survive until stumps, but they face a monumental task when play resumes on Day III.
Chatterjee's Maiden Double Century Sets Up Bengal's Dominance
Earlier in the day, Bengal opener Sudip Chatterjee continued his excellent form by scoring his maiden double century just before the lunch interval. He was eventually dismissed for 209, an innings that spanned 327 balls and included 18 fours and one six, showcasing both patience and aggression.
Wicketkeeper-batter Shakir Habib Gandhi, who replaced the injured Abishek Porel, remained stranded on 91 as Bengal added 175 more runs to their overnight total before being bowled out shortly before the tea break. Gandhi's knock, though unfinished, provided valuable support to Chatterjee's monumental effort.
With two days remaining in the match, Bengal will be looking to wrap up the Services innings quickly on Day III and enforce a follow-on if possible, aiming for a comprehensive victory that would bolster their position in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group 'C' standings.
