Anustup Majumdar brought all his experience into play, taking Bengal to 286/5 after Day I of the Ranji Trophy Group A clash versus Delhi at Eden Gardens.

Along with Anustup, who’s batting on 94, Sreevats Goswami (59) and Shahbaz Ahmed (39 batting) also came up with contributions after Bengal were in trouble early on.

Put in to bat on a pitch with decent grass content, Bengal were reduced to 73/3 at lunch and then 100/4 a little while later.

Abhishek Raman and stand-in captain Manoj Tiwary were back in the hut, while Koushik Ghosh too perished in the post-lunch session despite being set.

Delhi bowlers were far from outstanding with the ball in conditions favouring pacers. Rather, Bengal batsmen should be blaming themselves for the dismissals so far.

Nonetheless, Anustup and the Shahbaz played proper, positive cricket in the final session to lay the foundation for a solid first innings total.

Delhi tried to claw their way back after dismissing Sreevats and breaking the fifth-wicket stand between Anustup and the ’keeper-batsman, which fetched Bengal vital 117 runs.

The first hour on Tuesday will, of course, be crucial and Bengal will have to begin afresh, emphasised Anustup.

“We were under pressure for a while, but my partnerships with Sreevats and Shahbaz kept us in good stead and overall, it was a good day for us, Anustup said.