KOLKATA: Anustup Majumdar hit an unbeaten century after the bowlers struck to their task as Bengal returned to winning ways recording a comfortable eight-wicket win over Pondicherry in a Group ‘E’ Vijay Hazare Trophy match at the Mecon Stadium in Ranchi on Thursday.
The Bengal bowlers did not allow the Pondicherry batters to settle down with Mukesh Kumar dismissing skipper R Raghupathy in the very first over after they won the toss and elected to field.
While Mukesh ended up with two for 40, left-arm pacer Geet Puri was the most successful bowler returning with three for 24. Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed also came good, claiming three for 25.
Run-machine Paras Dogra, who had hit two centuries so far in the tournament, once again looked dangerous before he was trapped in front by spinner Pradipta Pramanik for a run-a-ball 63 as Pondicherry were bowled out for 197 in 43.2 overs.
Although Bengal lost their skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran (8) early, Sudip Gharami once again provided the anchor sharing a 107-run second-wicket stand with Majumdar.
Veteran Majumdar stood tall after Gharami departed for a well-made 56 off 69 balls and along with another old warhorse Manoj Tiwary (32*), saw the team home in the 40th over losing just two wickets.
Brief scores: Pondicherry 197 in 43.2 ovs (Paras Dogra 63, KB Arun Karthick 34, Shahbaz Ahmed 3/25, Geet Puri 3/24). Bengal 202/2 in 39 ovs (Anustup Majumdar 100*, Sudip Gharami 56, Manoj Tiwary 32*) Bengal won by 8 wkts.
