Anustup Majumdar has, over the last four years, often stood up for Bengal in adversity. At the Chinnaswamy in Bengaluru on Wednesday, the script was somewhat similar. Bengal were wobbling at 21/2 after being put in by Karnataka when Anustup walked out to bat.

Taking the difficulties in his stride, the 40-year-old Bengal captain produced a quality innings of 101 for his 17th first-class hundred. Other senior pros, Sudip Chatterjee (55)and Shahbaz Ahmed (54 batting), also contributed with important half-centuries as Bengal posted 249/5 at stumps on Day I of this crucial Ranji Trophy clash.

Anustup’s 164-ball innings comprised 16 boundaries as he stitched two vital partnerships of 100 and 80 with Chatterjee and Shahbaz, respectively, for the third and fourth wickets. Before Chatterjee and Anustup’s resistance, medium-pacer Vasuki Koushik (3/29) had removed opener Shuvam Dey and Sudip Gharami.

The Chinnaswamy does have a fair bit of assistance for quicks in the form of extra bounce and a bit of movement, which further underlines the quality of Anustup’s innings.

“It’s the responsibility I need to take as a senior player,” he said later.

“Of course, it feels nice to get a century in these conditions. But the hundred will be of value only if we get good points from this game.”

Anustup feels a further 100-150 runs will brighten Bengal’s chances in this game.

Shreyas ton

Out of India’s Test squad, Shreyas Iyer made a statement with his unbeaten 152 that powered Mumbai to 385/3 on the opening day of their Ranji clash against Odisha at home.

Shreyas took only 164 balls to get those runs, smashing 18 boundaries and fourmaximums.

Siddhesh Lad (116 batting) also scored a hundred, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit 92.

Summarised scores

Bengal 249/5 (Anustup Majumdar 101, Shahbaz Ahmed 54 batting; Vasuki Koushik 3/29) vs Karnataka.

Mumbai 385/3 (Siddhesh Lad 116 batting, Shreyas Iyer 152 batting) vs Odisha. At stumps, Day I.