Ranji Trophy: Abhimanyu, Kaushik lead Bengal fightback

JAIPUR: It's not over until it's over. Some resolute batting by the opening duo of skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran (62 off 88 balls) and Koushik Ghosh (64 off 181 balls) ensured Bengal ended the penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy match in control after being set a daunting target of 320 on a seamer-friendly SMS Stadium pitch.
The Bengal openers stitched together a vital 115-run partnership to help the visitors inch closer to an improbable victory in the Elite Group 'A' encounter.When the stumps were drawn, Anustup Majumdar (20*) and Sreevats Goswami (19*) were at the crease with just 135 runs separating Bengal from crossing the line with six wickets in hand.
Even though the match seems tilted in favour of the visitors till now, success could change hands if the Rajasthan seamers Rituraj Singh, Tanveer Ul-Haq and Arafat Khan capitalised on the early morning moisture on the pitch.
Perseverance delivered dividends for Rajasthan bowlers with Rituraj claiming the priced wicket of Easwaran to break the partnership, inducing an edge off the right-hander from Dehradun to wicketkeeper Manender Singh. Three more wickets tumbled down in quick succession and from 115 for one, Bengal were reeling at 153 for four.
Earlier, tailenders Tanveer (32) and Arafat (32) helped Rajasthan take an impressive 319-run lead, resuming from their overnight score of 156/8.
Bengal skipper Easwaran was happy with the way the day panned out for Bengal. "It has been a good day for us. We got them all out on time and chasing 320 we started pretty well. Later we were four down in a span of 10 overs, but there was good recovery from there on. Tomorrow morning will be crucial and the first hour will dictate the terms. The pitch has slowed down and the ball did not have a good carry. Shotmaking was also slightly difficult, but not losing wickets will be crucial."
Rajasthan's most productive bowler Rituraj Singh also credited the tourists' openers, but believes the match can go either way. "We bowled really well at the start, but Bengal openers Abhimanyu and Koushik batted solid. They tackled and survived the new ball. But the first breakthrough got us back into the game. The match is still on. I would like to believe that we have an upper hand as tomorrow when we will go out to bowl the wicket will have some moisture. Tomorrow it will be a battle of patience."
Brief Scores: Rajasthan 241 and 201 (R Bishnoi 46; Nilkantha Das 4/26). Bengal 123 and (target 320) 185/4 (Abhimanyu Easwaran 62, Koushik Ghosh 64; Rituraj Singh 3/62).