Skipper Manoj Tiwary has plenty of grievances about umpires and the Ranji Trophy in general. but what cannot be ignored is Bengal’s extremely sloppy show in their Ranji clash against Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram.
In response to the home team’s 363, which by no means is an intimidating total, Bengal were reeling at 172/8 at stumps on Day II. Still 191 behind, a huge task awaits Bengal as only a win in this game will help their knockout hopes to stay afloat.
After the day’s play, Tiwary took to social media to express his displeasure about Ranji, claiming “so many things going wrong in the tournament”.
“Ranji trophy should be scrapped off from the calendar from the next season onwards. So many things going wrong in the tournament. So many things need to looked into in order to save this prestigious tournament which has a rich history. It’s losing its charm and importance. Absolutely frustrated,” Tiwary wrote on X.
It was learnt that spinner Jalaj Saxena, who scalped seven of the eight Bengal wickets that fell so far, was constantly uttering “No” as he was about to release the ball. That “induced” Tiwary into playing a loose stroke, while he was also upset with the umpires letting Saxena go scott free.
“The umpires should have pulled Jalaj Saxena up. While exerting, bowlers do sometimes make a noise at the delivery stride or just as they are about to release the ball. But it’s not the same if you costantly utter a “No” in order to distract batsmen,” a Bengal team source said.
Even if that’s against the spirit of the game, what explanation does Tiwary and Co. have for their overall below-standard display. With the ball, once again they let the oposition off the hook despite having them at 100-odd for four.
“A few easy catches were dropped as well, including of my bowling. Anyway, that’s a part and parcel of the game,” pacer Akash Deep said.
Had those catches not been shelled, Kerala may have struggled to get even 300.
Thereafter, with the bat, Abhimanyu Easwaran’s intent had helped Bengal to 107/1. But as soon as Easwaran departed for a brisk 72 off Saxena, no one could put up any kind of resistance.
Even the otherwise consistent Anustup Majumdar perished for nought off just two balls.
Brief scores: Kerala 363 (Akshay Chandran 106; Shahbaz Ahmed 4/73). Bengal 172/8 (Abhimanyu Easwaran 72; Jalaj Saxena 7/67). At stumps, Day II.
Mumbai collapse
In Raipur, Chhattisgarh put up some sort of a fight against Mumbai on the second day. Mumbai, resuming on 310/4, lost their remaining six wickets for only 41 as their first-innings ended at 351.
In response, the hosts got off to a slow start, but openers Shashank Chandrakar (56) and Rishabh Tiwari (25) put on 87 upfront to defy the visitors’ bowlers. At close of play, Chhattisgarh were 180/4.
