Tejinderpal hits 100 as Bengal toil

Unwavering in their determination to build a big first innings total, Railways milked the Bengal bowling at will to reach 445 for four on the second day of their Ranji Trophy semi-final in Delhi on Thursday.

Left-hander Tejinderpal Singh lived up to his reputation as an attacking batsmen, hitting a lively 100 after openers Sanjay Bangar (48) and Amit Pagnis (81) had laid the foundation for a good total.

All the Railways batsmen, including the prolific Yere Goud, who was unbeaten on 93 when stumps were drawn for the day alongwith J P Yadav on 21, helped themselves to useful runs, thus making life difficult for the Bengal bowlers.

Bengal skipper Rohan Gavaskar tried as many as eight bowlers but in vain, as the hosts played to a well-thought-of plan and hardly looked perturbed on the placid wicket.

Even India skipper Sourav Ganguly, who impressed with his pace and zest on Wednesday, seemed to run out of verve and looked disenchanted in the middle though he managed to get the prized wicket of Tejinderpal.

But before holing out to Subhomoy Das at second slip on just the second delivery he faced after reaching his 100, Tejinderpal treated the national skipper with disdain, hitting him for seven of his 14 fours.

His century, the second of his career after a 186 against Madhya Pradesh in the league matches this season, came off 147 balls and was studded with beautiful strokes on both sides of the wicket.

Day 1 report:
Pagnis, Bangar give Railways good start

Mail Cricket Editor