Opting to bowl on a green surface after a delayed start, Uttar Pradesh’s first innings lasted just 20.5 overs in the opening session. Indian seamer Mohammed Shami’s younger brother Mohammed Kaif was the star for Bengal, taking 4 for 14 in his 5.5 overs.
But what unfolded thereafter was a masterclass from Bhuvneshwar as he marked his return to first class by claiming 5 for 25 from 13 overs, three of which were maidens. The 33-year-old, who last played a Test in January 2018 against South Africa, dismissed Sourav Paul (13) and Sudip Gharami (0) in the space of three balls. He then returned to take the wickets of Anustup Majumdar (12), captain Manoj Tiwary (3) and Abhishek Porel (12) in the same spell.
With India’s five-match home Test series against England on the horizon and doubts lingering over Shami’s return, it remains to be seen if the selectors are forced to reconsider Bhuvneshwar after Friday’s spectacle. Bengal’s Mukesh Kumar, who is on national duty with the T20I team, remains ahead of him in the pecking order.
At stumps, Bengal were 95 for 5. Opener Sayan Ghosh, playing the only over with a tenacious 37 off 87 balls, was Bengal’s last designated batsman. He has Karan Lal in company, batting 8.
Rahane gets a duck in Mumbai vs Andhra
Reddy dismissed Mumbai captain Rahane, who missed the first Ranji Trophy match due to neck stiffness, for a golden duck and then denied Iyer a half-century for two runs in his return match. Returning to the Mumbai XI for the first time in the Ranji Trophy since the 2018-19 season, Iyer entertained with a run-a-ball 48 (7×4). Iyer, who struggled for form in the two-match Test series in South Africa, failed to convert his opener and became the fifth wicket to fall for Mumbai.
