Calcutta, April 9 :    Calcutta, April 9:  WEST ZONE 274/1 He has not been in the national reckoning since a disastrous tour of Australia in 1999-2000. Not one to lose heart, Hrishikesh Kanitkar has got down to prove his worth in the domestic scene. This season has been one of immense success for the West Zone captain. A century against Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy was followed by two more tons in the one-day games. The Duleep Trophy has also been productive. A 192 versus South in their previous game signalled his undiminished appetite for runs. Today at the Eden Gardens, on a wicket not ideally suited to batting, he showed immense concentration and application in his unbeaten 154. The yet unbroken 241-run partnership he shared for the second wicket with Nilesh Modi put the visitors in good stead on the opening day. 'It is a dry wicket where there is spin and bounce. You need to concentrate every ball,' said Kanitkar later. The innings did throw light on his temperament. At times, the bounce, turn and variation of Utpal Chatterjee did prove disturbing but Kanitkar survived through his bold approach. He survived on a couple of occasions - once Mark Ingty dropped a sharp caught and bowled chance and then, when on 97, Parag Das at mid-wicket dropped a sitter off Utpal. But these didn't dent his confidence. The stifling heat and humidity failed to have any effect on his dour attitude. He opened up only after getting used to the slow pace of the wicket. The 232-ball knock included 16 boundaries and two sixes - one each of Utpal and Sanjay Raul. The early dismissal of Niranjan Godbole led to an extra cautious approach from Modi and Kanitkar. The run rate suffered as boundaries were rare and singles were the main source of survival. Modi (88 batting off 285 balls, 8x4) was also not taking any undue risks. He knew survival would guarantee runs and that's what the opener aimed for. Utpal bowled a superb spell after lunch and was well supported by Sourashish Lahiri. The off-spinner also used the conditions to his advantage, deceiving the batsmen with his line. Both Kanitkar and Modi survived a few close calls during this period. Laxmi Ratan Shukla was also impressive but Raul did not persist with him in spinner friendly conditions. But it defied logic not to use Utpal in longer spells. It was, however, the slack fielding of East that led to their sordid show today. If letting off Kanitkar was not enough, Rashmi Ranjan Parida at forward short-leg dropped Modi off Sourashish. West are not thinking of batting a second time in the match and it will prove an uphill task for East to restrict them below 450. For the hosts, batting will be even tougher as the pitch will keep deteriorating. With just three points required from this game to seal the title, West have made the right start.