Half-centuries from middle-order batsman Kaif Ahmad and opener Abhishek Das, alongside the bowlers’ collective effort, helped Bengal to a sound start to their Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign.

In their tournament opener, Bengal braved the conditions to beat Baroda by 27 runs at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.

Put in to bat, Bengal were all out for 230 in 49.4 overs. But pacer Akash Deep struck thrice, while his new-ball partner Mukesh Kumar (2/41) and spinners Writtick Chatterjee (2/32) and Shahbaz Ahmed (2/48) also contributed to bowl Baroda out for 203. Baroda had all-rounder Krunal Pandya in their ranks, but he wasn’t too effective with the bat.

Bengal also benefited from Ritwik Roy Chowdhury (48 off 36)’s runs at the death.

Brief scores: Bengal 230 in 49.4 ovs (K. Ahmad 67, A. Das 62, R. Roy Chowdhury 48). Baroda 203 in 48.2 ovs (A. Deep 3/39, W. Chatterjee 2/32). Bengal won by 27 runs.