Sudip Gharami’s mammoth innings of 299 runs, Sumanta Gupta’s crucial support of 81 runs, Shakir Habib Gandhi’s 95 runs and finally Shahbaz Ahmed’s special bowling, helped Bengal to demolish Andhra Pradesh and claim a spot in the Ranji Semis. Competing on home ground, Bengal had an upper hand from the very start of the match. A few missed chances and bad spells on the first day helped Andhra to take charge in the first session, but Bengal made a solid comeback with the ball right after the first session and then they never came back in this match.
Bengal tested Andhra with patience
Andhra batters posted 295 runs after the end of the first innings, in reply Bengal batters looked unsteady at the start then came, Sudip Kumar Gharami the boy from Naihati,used all his experience and stayed in the crease like a lone pillar. Then Sumanta Gupta joined him, facing 167 balls he scored, 81 runs and steadily shape the innings like a potter by forming a 165 runs stand. Sudip Kumar Gharami almost stayed for 100 overs, he faced 596 balls in his innings. Shakir Habib Gandhi strengthened Bengal's innings providing crucial, 91 runs down the order. Bengal's innings continued till the last session of the fourth day.
Not only with bat, but Bengal players also outplayed the Andhra team by showing patience, Bengal batters’ calm and a patient innings helped Bengal to post a mammoth 629 runs on the board.
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Chasing a lead of 334 runs, Andhra batters were only able to score 244 runs. Shahbaz Ahmed picked 4 wickets and dismantled Andhra to make them out of the race for the qualifications.
Bengal will face Jammu and Kashmir in the semis, who will play their very first semi-final on February 15.
