Mohali: Bengal riding on a seventh wicket partnership between Wriddhiman Saha and Laxmi Ratan Shukla recovered after initial jolt to post 280-7 at the close on day 1 of the their Ranji Trophy match here on Saturday.
Wriddhiman Saha (75 batting) and Laxmi Ratan Shukla (62) piled up a crucial 124 runs partnership for the sixth wicket to help Bengal to a comfortable position after Punjab ran through their top order at the PCA Stadium.
Punjab after opting to field first, struck early and removed opener Jayajit Basu for seven. Subhamoy Das and Writam Porel played cautiously for some time. But Das failed to capitalise on the start and soon lost his wicket after Amitoze Singh broke through his defence.
Punjab seized the opportunity and most of the Bengal batsmen who got off to a good start failed to convert their starts and paid price for sloppy shot selection.
Just when it looked like Punjab will wrap up the proceedings soon, Saha and Shukla stood in defiance and piled up a partnership.
Shuka and Saha formed a perfect combination; with the former taking on the attack while latter was happy playing the waiting game.
Shukla was entertainedeveryone with his enterprising knock while Saha did not rush with things and happy dispatching the loose deliveries.
Shukla faced 105 balls and hit 10 fours, while his partner played 155 balls and hit nine fours and a six.
For Punjab, Manpreet Grewal (Gony) was the pick of the bowlers and returned with figures of 2-35.
By Indian Sports News Network