Jaydev Shah

Calcutta: Bengal failed to live up to their early promise at the Eden on Sunday. After reducing Saurashtra to 38 for four in the first session, they couldn’t produce the same incisive bowling needed for an outright victory.

The bowlers lacked discipline and the variation needed to make inroads. Dropped chances added to their woes, and by tea, it was clear that Bengal weren’t going for full points.

Jaydev Shah’s benefited the most as the Saurashtra captain’s unbeaten century helped them return with one point. Bengal logged in three and now have eight points from four games. Saurashtra are placed second in Group B with 12 points.

“The wicket had become flat after the heavy roller was used this morning… There was very little help for the bowlers,” reasoned Laxmi Ratan Shukla.

Bengal’s overnight batsmen failed to add to their total leaving Saurashtra with a target of 273. The visitors had a bad start as Sourav Sarkar removed the two openers in quick succession.

Sourav was bowling well along with Ashok Dinda as the batsmen struggled against the pace and movement. When Cheteshwar Pujara was bowled after misjudging the line of a Dinda delivery for nine, it seemed their challenge was all but over.

Sheldon Jackson departed soon and Saurashtra were looking down the barrel. But Jaydev and Arpit Vasavada stood up to the challenge showing guts and determination.

The unbroken fifth-wicket pair added 151 in 252 minutes to quell the Bengal challenge. At one stage, it seemed like Saurashtra would go for the target and that prompted Bengal to bowl a negative line. But the fear of losing wickets and jeopardising their position possibly led Saurashtra to play safe. Jaydev’s unbeaten 104 was superb, considering the circumstances.

Bengal, though, will rue the two dropped catches that could have changed the match’s fortunes.

First, Shib Shankar Paul dropped him off Dinda on eight and then Anustup Majumdar failed to hold on to the ball at point when Jaydev was on 78.