Ranji Trophy | Malhotra’s gritty hundred keeps Punjab in the game

Anmol Malhotra's unbeaten century saves Punjab in Ranji Trophy match against Bengal at Eden Gardens.

Wicketkeeper-batter Anmol Malhotra’s gritty unbeaten century helped Punjab avert disaster on the opening day of its Ranji Trophy Group-C match against Bengal at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.

Asked to bat, Punjab rode on Malhotra’s defiant knock (106 n.o., 114b, 11x4, 2x6) to recover from 73 for six to post 191 in its first innings.

In reply, Bengal was at 119 for four at stumps.

The host benefitted early as its seamers, Suraj Jaiswal and 32-year-old debutant Sumit Mohanta, got movement off the track in overcast conditions to scalp four wickets for 49 runs in a little more than an hour. Mohanta captured three of them, while Jaiswal kept it tight.

Wriddhiman Saha, who was felicitated by the Cricket Association of Bengal and was presented a signed jersey by his teammates prior to the match for his impending retirement, held the first two catches while Abishek Porel, who took over the keeper’s role from Saha after 13 overs, pouched the next two.

Jaiswal came from round the wicket to trap southpaw Pukhraj Mann in front of the stumps and had captain Mayank Markande caught in the slips as Punjab took lunch at 95 for six.

Malhotra played deliveries on merit. As Bengal spread the field after lunch, he used his feet and played more freely, showcasing some drives on his way to the three-figure mark.