Another 101 runs with eight wickets in hand and an eased-out pitch. The circumstances couldn’t have been more favourable for Bengal to kickstart their Ranji Trophy season with an outright victory.

Set a tricky 257-run target after Uttar Pradesh finished their second innings at 227, Bengal were strongly placed at 156 for 2 with Koushik Ghosh and Anustup Majumdar batting on 69 and 44, respectively, at stumps on Day 3 at Eden Gardens.

After Shivam Mavi dismissed Abhishek Das and No.3 Sudip Gharami with only 61 on the board, Ghosh and Majumdar, who batted at his usual position in spite of swelling near the left thumb that’s well strapped, showed intent right through their 95-run unbroken stand. The duo made the most of the scoring opportunities coming their way and were equally careful towards the close of play. It was also a test for opener Ghosh in his first Ranji appearance in over two years. But barring an edge past slip late in the day, Ghosh remained solid with 10 boundaries so far.

Earlier, overnight battersRinku Singh (89) and Akshdeep Nath (53) couldn’t do too much of damage, thanks to the quick strikes of pacers AkashDeep, Pritam Chakraborty and Sayan Sekhar Mondal.

Brief scores: Uttar Pradesh 198 & 227 (R. Singh 89; A. Deep 3/52). Bengal 169 & 156/2 (K. Ghosh 69 batting). At stumps, Day 3.