Bhui’s determined knock props up Andhra

Presenting a superb instance of a knock constructed on the muse of persistence and self-discipline, captain Ricky Bhui scored a decided half-century to information Andhra Pradesh to 264 for six within the first innings on day one of many Ranji Trophy quarterfinal in opposition to Bengal right here on Friday.

Requested to bat on the Bengal Cricket Academy floor, Andhra rode on Bhui and Nitish Reddy’s 108-run partnership to put a superb platform earlier than Bengal fought again brilliantly.

The green-top observe was honest in the direction of each batters and seamers. The house bowlers’ lack of self-discipline allowed the visiting openers to attain briskly.

Ok.S. Bharat (47, 57b, 9×4), who hit three consecutive fours on the onside off Mukesh Kumar’s first over, displayed his crisp stroke-play throughout to push Bengal on the back-foot and gathered 58 runs with Abhishek Reddy.

Bengal bowlers discovered a greater size after an hour’s play. Akash Deep extracted additional bounce to have Abhishek caught behind. Bharat, following a ‘life’ on 38 off Akash Deep, hooked Mukesh to deep fine-leg earlier than lunch.

S.Ok. Rasheed (46, 75b, 9×4), dropped on 20 off Shami, impressed together with his timing earlier than edging Mukesh to first slip.

C.R. Gnaneshwar fell cheaply to Shami, however Bhui (83, 174b, 8×4, 2×6) – with the DRS favouring him twice – confirmed character to rotate the strike nicely with Nitish for an vital partnership.

Bhui selected the quilt space to get most of his boundaries and hoisted Shahbaz Ahmed twice over long-on ropes.
Nitish’s supportive function (33, 99b, 3×4) was restrained.

Bhui’s freak dismissal, who bought distracted and unintentionally reduce the hard-working Akash excessive to see Shahbaz full a spectacular diving catch at third-man, resurrected Bengal’s hopes. Quickly, Nitish pulled Mukesh to fine-leg.

Regardless of conceding extras generously, the host have to be delighted that Akash offered very important breakthroughs, Mukesh regained his self-discipline to scalp three and Shami carried out tidily.

The scores: Andhra Pradesh – 1^st innings: Abhishek Reddy c Gandhi b Akash 18, Ok.S. Bharat c Shami b Mukesh 47, S.Ok. Rasheed c Chatterjee b Mukesh 46, Ricky Bhui c Shahbaz b Akash 83, C.R. Gnaneshwar c Shahbaz b Shami 7, Nitish Kumar Reddy c Akash b Mukesh 33, T. Vijay (batting) 1, Ok.V. Sasikanth (batting) 7; Extras: (b-9, lb-5, nb-8): 22; Whole (for six wkts, in 80 overs): 264.

Fall of wickets: 1-58, 2-89, 3-129, 4-147, 5-255, 6-257.

Bengal bowling: Shami 17-4-38-1, Mukesh 18-5-50-3, Jaiswal 14-3-53-0, Akash 17-3-64-2, Shahbaz 14-1-45-0.

Toss: Bengal.