Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal (4-29) was impressive with the ball as Bengal managed to bag a point after their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Chhattisgarh ended in a draw on the fourth and final day at the Eden Gardens on Monday.
After posting 381/8 decl. in their first innings, Bengal reduced Chhattisgarh to 214/6 when stumps were drawn on Day 4. With the first innings being incomplete, the match was drawn, and 1 point was awarded to both the teams.
Besides Suraj, Karan Lal (1-32) and Shreyansh Ghosh (1-23) were the pick of the bowlers for Bengal.
After three consecutive draws, Bengal currently have five points from three games so far. The Laxmi Ratan Shukla-coached side will next travel to Guwahati to take on Assam on Friday.
“The low light throughout the match made it tough for us. Suraj was superb with the ball, while Kaif and Ishan also tried their best. In the upcoming matches, we will try to bag maximum points. We are confident as a team,” head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla said after the match.
Skipper Manoj Tiwary also sounded optimistic. “The low light cost us three crucial points. In the next matches, we are confident of doing well and taking full points. Our bowlers gave their all on the final day, but the time lost in the match became vital at the end.”
Earlier, resuming the day from overnight score of 27/2 after an hour due to bad light, the visitors were cautious in their approach.
Jivesh Butte, after playing 26 off 73 balls, fell to Suraj in the 30th over, reducing them to 75/3.
From there on, Ashutosh Singh (88) and Sanjeet Desai (37) stitched together a 104-run partnership for the fourth wicket to take the team closer to 200.
Against the run of play, Bengal struck back twice in quick succession to send Sandeep and skipper Amandeep Khare (8) packing.
Ashutosh, too, departed after playing a fighting 240-ball innings.
Depsite the wickets and Bengal showing positive intent, low light had the final say in the match.
Shashank Singh (15 not out) and Gagandeep Singh (4 not out) remained unbeaten as points were shared at the end.