Ranji Trophy Quarterfinals: Bhui’s determined knock props up Andhra

Bhui’s determined knock props up Andhra

Presenting a fine example of a knock built on the foundation of patience and discipline, captain Ricky Bhui scored a determined half-century to guide Andhra Pradesh to 264 for six in the first innings on day one of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Bengal here on Friday.

Asked to bat at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground, Andhra rode on Bhui and Nitish Reddy’s 108-run partnership to lay a good platform before Bengal fought back brilliantly.

The green-top track was fair towards both batters and seamers. The home bowlers’ lack of discipline allowed the visiting openers to score briskly.

K.S. Bharat (47, 57b, 9x4), who hit three consecutive fours on the onside off Mukesh Kumar’s first over, displayed his crisp stroke-play all around to push Bengal on the back-foot and gathered 58 runs with Abhishek Reddy.

Bengal bowlers found a better length after an hour’s play. Akash Deep extracted extra bounce to have Abhishek caught behind. Bharat, following a ‘life’ on 38 off Akash Deep, hooked Mukesh to deep fine-leg before lunch.

S.K. Rasheed (46, 75b, 9x4), dropped on 20 off Shami, impressed with his timing before edging Mukesh to first slip.