Himachal Pradesh players Prashant Chopra (109) and Ankit Kalsi (82) batted with gumption on the final day of their Ranji Trophy Group A match to deny hosts Bengal victory at Eden Gardens on Friday.

The visitors, who faced an uphill task to save the match on Day IV, lost just three wickets as the game ended in a draw with Himachal scoring 348/4, denying the hosts a golden opportunity to take full points.

At the same time, Bengal’s bowling was disappointing to say the least. With the wicket getting too easier to bat on, the quicks looked pedestrian. Leftarm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed also struggled to make inroads as Bengal had to remain satisfied with three points when they could have got six.

Chasing a target of 472, Himachal — who were 79/1 overnight with Chopra and Kalsi unbeaten on 44 and 17, respectively — started the tough journey to save the game with a positive mindset. The duo hammered in excess of 100 runs in the morning session, something that doesn’t happen too often at the Eden.

Chopra, especially, was selective with his strokes, building his innings brick by brick as he inched closer to the century mark. Kalsi was the first to be dismissed but before that, the partnership had virtually ensured the match could only progress in one direction — a draw.

So poor was Bengal’s bowling that the bowlers began bowling negative lines in the post-lunch session, fearing defeat.

Bengal travel to Sovima for their next match, which is against Nagaland from December 27.

Brief scores: Bengal 310 & 291/5 decl. Himachal Pradesh 130 & 348/4 (P. Chopra 109, A. Kalsi 82). Match drawn.