Bengal create First-Class record with top 9 batters scoring fifty-plus runs against Jharkhand in Ranji Trophy QF

The Bengal vs Jharkhand Ranji Trophy quarter-final may look like a dull clash but on Day 3 it produced multiple records. Bengal batters continued to pile runs in the first innings and in process created a First-Class record. The Abhimanyu Easwaran-led side’s top-nine batters registered fifty-plus score. This is the first time in the history of First-Class cricket, the top nine-batters have crossed the fifty-run mark.

Out of the nine fifty-plus scores, two batters scored centuries. Sudip Gharami scored 186, his maiden First-Class century whereas Anustup Majumdar scored 117. Bengal batters broke the 129-year-old record (1893) when eight fifty-plus scores were registered in a First-Class innings.

After frustrating Jharkhand bowlers for several sessions in more than two days, Jharkhand posted a mammoth total of 773/7 in 218.4 overs before declaring the innings.

Just before the declaration came from Easwaran, the no.9 batter Akash Deep created another First-Class record. Akash hit the fastest half-century in the first innings of First-Class cricket. Akash took just 18 deliveries to score 53 runs. He got the license from the team management to take on bowlers and he did exactly that. He hit as many as eight sixes in the 18-ball knock. Only five of his runs came via running between the wickets.

Experienced Shahbaz Nadeem turned out to be the most expensive bowler as he conceded 175 runs from 56 overs. The left-arm spinner also took two wickets in an innings dominated by Bengal batters.

Here is a list of scores of top nine batters -

Abhishek Raman - 61 (109)

Abhimanyu Easwaran - 65 (124)

Sudip Gharami - 186 (380)

Anustup Majumdar - 117 (194)

Manoj Tiwary - 73 (173)

Abhishek Porel - 68 (111)

Shahbaz Ahmed - 78 (124)

Sayan Mondal - 53 (85)

Akash Deep - 53 (18)

Jharkhand batters crumbled under the scoreboard pressure as well. At the end of Day 3's play, Jharkhand were 139/5, still trailing by 634 runs. Only opener Nazim Siddiqui scored a half-century. Three wickets were taken by Mondal whereas Shahbaz bagged two. Jharkhand are very unlikely to avoid follow-on in this situation.