Suraj Jaiswal’s Spin Mastery Holds Uttarakhand to 213 in Ranji Clash

As Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep of India struggled to make an impact, Suraj Jaiswal spearheaded Bengal’s pace attack with an impressive four-wicket haul. His efforts helped the hosts bowl Uttarakhand out for 213 on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Group-C match at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

In response, Bengal was eight for one at stumps, having lost their captain Abhimanyu Easwaran to the first delivery of their innings.

Bengal chose to bowl first on a warm morning, with Shami and Akash sharing the new ball for the first time. However, their eight-over spell together yielded no wickets on a pitch that appeared flat.

The breakthrough came from first-change bowler Ishan Porel in the 11th over, dismissing Avneesh Sudha with a catch at slip.

Jaiswal, who topped Bengal’s wicket-taker list last season with 29 scalps, caught Prashant Chopra out brilliantly thanks to wicketkeeper Abishek Porel. Jaiswal’s disciplined stump-to-stump bowling paid off as he took key wickets, including Kunal Chandela and Yuvraj Choudhary, while Shashwat Dangwal risked a simple return catch.

Bhupen Lalwani provided resistance with a well-compiled half-century (71 runs off 128 balls, with nine boundaries). He built useful partnerships of 44 and 54 runs with Shashwat Dangwal and Yuvraj, respectively. Lalwani eventually edged Ishan behind while attempting a cut close to his body.

Later, Ishan dismissed a set Jagadeesha Suchith, caught at slip. After struggling with rhythm and bowling nearly 15 overs across five spells, Shami found form late in the day, taking the last three wickets in his final over.

Akash Deep, who turned out to be the costliest among the pacers, failed to take any wickets and posed little threat throughout.

Published on Oct 15, 2025.