Manoj Tiwary at the Eden on Sunday

Calcutta: When at the Eden, the one batsman who naturally comes to mind is that of “Very Very Special” Laxman and his vintage 281 on March 11, 2001. The same venue on Sunday found a hero in Manoj Tiwary against Laxman’s side, displaying an array of strokes which reminded one of the classy Hyderabadi batsman.

Tiwary’s unbeaten 147 (4x19, 6x2) not only helped Bengal take Day I initiative against Hyderabad with 289 for five at stumps in their Ranji Trophy Super League group B tie, but he also staked his claim for a berth in the national side.

Though Laxman’s knock against the Aussies in the second innings of that famous Steve Waugh’s juggernaut-halting Test remains unparalleled, Tiwary’s effort could come as close as to that, the difference in competition notwithstanding.

Laxman himself acknowledged Tiwary’s performance. “Let’s not compare my innings with his… But having watched him bat freely from the slips, it felt that Tiwary’s knock was a good one,” Laxman told The Telegraph.

The 21-year-old never looked tired and beaten, despite the fact that he had undergone a shoulder surgery not long ago.

Tiwary’s flamboyance took a toll on Hyderabad left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha who was touted to exploit the “under-prepared track”.

Laxman, expectedly, brought the Cuttack-based spinner in the ninth over after Bengal elected to bat. He did give a breakthrough taking opener Amitava Chakravarty. But the tweaker’s dominance came to an end when Tiwary joined Anustup Majumdar in the middle. He swept and drove Ojha at will, hitting eight fours and one six off the spinner. Off another left-arm spinner, Lalith Mohan, the Bengal batsman hit one six and six fours, including the one which helped him cross hundred.

Hyderabad rejoiced briefly when off-spinner Amol Shinde took two wickets in two balls — which included new Bengal skipper Laxmi Ratan Shukla (0)— six overs after tea.

Having lasted two minutes and one ball, Shukla’s initiation as skipper was forgettable, though he later denied he was under any pressure. “It happens in a match. Zindagi mein kabhi bhi mein pressure mein nahin aaya,” said Shukla.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha — making Ranji debut as the replacement of former skipper Deep Dasgupta — started off with a blazing boundary off Ojha. He and Tiwary, having played cricket at under-19 level together, got into the act with an unbeaten 68 runs off 20 overs.