NEW DELHI: Bengal faced early setbacks before experienced captain Anustup Majumdar's resilient century helped them reach 249/5 at the end of day one of the Ranji Trophy Group C match in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Bengal's start was shaky as Vasuki Koushik removed Shuvam Dey for a duck and Sudip Gharami for 5 off 45 balls, leaving them at 21/2 after choosing to bat first.
The 40-year-old Anustup, batting at number four, stabilised the innings alongside Sudip Chatterjee, who contributed a steady 55 from 120 deliveries.
Anustup's performance, which included 16 boundaries in his 157-ball century, was his first hundred of the season and displayed similar qualities to his innings in the 2019-20 semifinal against the same opposition.
The third-wicket partnership yielded 100 runs before Koushik claimed Chatterjee's wicket, taking his figures to an impressive 3/29.
Anustup continued to bat with determination while receiving support from Shahbaz Ahmed, but eventually fell lbw to Shreyas Gopal shortly after reaching his century.
Avilin Ghosh played aggressively for his 27 runs off 22 balls, including two sixes and a four, before edging to Mayank Agarwal at first slip off debutant Abhilash Shetty.
At close of play, Shahbaz Ahmed remained not out on 54 (six fours) from 103 balls, with Wriddhiman Saha on 6 at the other end.
Brief Scores
