da leao： Hosts Bengal secured five points by virtue of their first innings leadto take the third position in the zone as their Ranji Trophy matchagainst Bihar ended in a tame draw at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata onSaturday
06-Jan-2001Hosts Bengal secured five points by virtue of their first innings leadto take the third position in the zone as their Ranji Trophy matchagainst Bihar ended in a tame draw at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata onSaturday. Bengal with 18 points finished behind Orissa (29) and Assam(19).Resuming at 16 for one after being forced to follow on, Bihar openerNikhilesh Ranjan struck an unbeaten 126 and put on a valuable 159-runsecond wicket partnership with captain Rajiv Kumar (82) to guide theteam to safety.Despite being under pressure, the Bihar batsmen rose to the task andbatted confidently to reach 302 for three before play was called offwithout the completion of the mandatory overs.The two overnight batsmen Nikhilesh Ranjan and Rajiv Kumar neverlooked in trouble at all on a good batting track as they negotiatedthe pacemen and spinners with ease to thwart Bengal’s advantage.Ranjan struck as many as 19 boundaries during his long 371-minute stayat the crease while Kumar slammed ten boundaries during his knockwhich lasted 216 minutes.Tariqur Rehman, who joined the action after Kumar’s departure, alsogave good support to Ranjan with a patient 32. Sunil Kumar (52 notout) was the other notable contributor for the visitors.With veteran spinner Utpal Chatterjee not bowling after the lunchbreak due to an injury and Laxmi Ratan Shukla not taking the field ondisciplinary grounds, the Bengal bowling lacked sting.