Bengal had already laid a strong foundation by restricting Andhra Pradesh to 295 all out in the first innings, with Mukesh Kumar’s incisive bowling ensuring the opposition didn’t cross 300. However, once Bengal began their run chase, the momentum tilted suddenly. Both openers failed to get going, and the top order collapsed, leaving the side reeling at 43 for 3. The match looked poised in Andhra’s favour.
Then, come Sudeep Gharami who stood tall, with calm determination, and he rebuilt the innings, choosing patience in a pressure situation. His approach was simple yet effective: rotate the strike, find gaps, and build his innings steadily. His innings kept Bengal afloat when they needed stability most.
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Crucial support from Sumanta Gupta
Sumanta Gupta offered critical support, batting with maturity to keep the scoreboard ticking. Their partnership lifted Bengal to 199 for 5 by the end of Day 2, with Sudeep unbeaten on 112 and Sumanta on 22.
On Day 3, the duo continued their measured batting at the Kalyani ground. They steadily increased the score, adding significant runs without taking reckless risks. Their stand was the backbone of Bengal’s resurgence, helping erase the first-innings deficit and turn the match in their favour.
Dominant batting on Day 4
On Day 4, Bengal continued to build a commanding total. Sudeep Gharami continued to register a monumental innings; he is still in the crease, scoring 281 runs, and he faced 584 balls in a marathon effort, while Bengal reached 542 for 7 in 186.4 overs, leading Andhra by 247 runs late in the session. Sumanta fell for 81, but Bengal’s position was firmly in control thanks to the foundations they had laid.
Sudeep’s innings was far more than just a big score; it was a statement of composure and mental strength in a high-stakes knockout match. Despite constant tactical adjustments from Andhra’s bowlers, he never let pressure dictate his game.
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As Sudeep’s total climbed and Bengal piled on a massive first-innings lead, Andhra’s bowlers struggled to find breakthroughs. Every run seemed to bolster Bengal’s confidence and chip away at Andhra’s morale, firmly tilting the quarter-final in Bengal’s favour.
