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| Sourav Ganguly and Mithun Manhas, at Eden Gardens, on Friday. A Telegraph picture |
Calcutta: Manoj Tiwary’s experience and a gritty rookie, who responds to the name of Veer Pratap Singh, helped Bengal pocket vital three points by virtue of a first-innings lead over Delhi in a Ranji Trophy Super League Group B match, at the Eden Gardens, here on Friday.
Bengal declared their first innings on 397 for nine wickets in reply to Delhi’s 392. In their second essay, Delhi were 186 for three when both teams decided to call it a day.
Delhi, therefore, finished their group engagements with 11 points from six ties and are out of contention for a quarter final berth. Bengal are on eight points and can beat the drop if they can notch up three points in their last match against Baroda.
In fact, they can even qualify for the knock-out stages if they win the Baroda tie with a bonus point and hope that other results go in their favour.
Patience was the key for Bengal batsmen on Friday. Resuming the day at 358 for eight, they needed 35 runs to get the first-innings lead.
Manoj Tiwary, who scored a magnificent 187 off 380 balls, knew that he had to take the bulk of the responsibility.
In the five and a half hour innings, he played cautiously, measuring every stroke and shielding his partner Veer. At the same time, he punished the Delhi bowlers if they wavered from the line.
In the first over of the day, he hit Pradeep Sangwan for two consecutive boundaries through the covers.
He continued with his attacking style in the second over too. He drove Kuldeep Rawat delightfully for another boundary.
If Manoj was steadfast, debutant Veer also gave him the support from the other end. The team management’s decision to replace Ranadeb Bose with Veer paid off.
While Manoj was handling the pacers, Veer was left to negotiate the spin of Manoj Chauhan. He was fantastic in dealing with the off-spinner.
Veer gathered confidence when he faced five balls of paceman Parwinder Awana, the only Delhi bowler who looked threatening in the morning session.
Bengal were cruising on 386 for eight when Manoj reluctantly took a single of first delivery of an Awana over.
It was a braveheart effort from the 19-year old Veer who did not give in to any provocation from the bowler.
In fact, it was a cover drive from Veer that ensured Bengal reach the magic figure of 393. He square cut Rajat Bhatia through point and gully for his second boundary in his innings.
Veer followed it up with another square cut for a boundary over point region.
But just when it seemed that the pressure was off the Bengal players, Manoj was dismissed.
Sangwan got his fifth wicket in the match when he held onto a return catch of the batsman.
Skipper Sourav Ganguly made the declaration soon after.
Puneet Bisht (57), Mithun Manhas (52 not out) and Yogesh Nagar (50 not out) scored half-centuries each in Delhi second innings.
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