Shami takes four as Bengal bowl out Delhi for 240

Mohammed Shami took four wickets as Bengal bowled out Delhi for 240 in the first innings of their Ranji Trophy opener at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani on Sunday.

Bengal, who elected to bowl, benefited from humid conditions and a pitch that offered variable bounce, which troubled the Delhi batting lineup. Hrithik Shokeen top-scored with a fighting 56 (98b, 3x4, 2x6) while Ayush Doseja made 45 (92b, 6x4); contributions from the lower order helped the visitors reach a respectable total.

Akash Deep provided the initial breakthrough in the sixth over when a seaming delivery breached southpaw Sanat Sangwan’s defence. Shami managed his energy by bowling mostly shorter spells, kept the attack tight and began his spell by finding Yash Dhull’s edge.

The right-left pair of Sarthak Ranjan (33, 80b, 4x4) and Ayush Doseja put together a patient stand, with their approach described in the report as presenting a hint of Gautam Gambhir’s style. Off-spinner Aamir Gani, playing his first red-ball match in two years, claimed three wickets and broke the Ranjan-Doseja partnership when Ranjan was caught behind down the leg.

Ayush Badoni and Doseja added 41 before Badoni was dismissed attempting a flash outside the off-stump off Mukesh Kumar. Akash Deep, who the report notes had leaked runs while searching for wickets, removed Anuj Rawat; Shami trapped Doseja lbw from around the wicket and Gani dismissed Dev Lakra, leaving Delhi 164 for seven at tea.

Shokeen, who also bowls off-breaks, struck sixes off both Shami and Gani over midwicket and marshalled the lower order, a resistance capped by a 40-run partnership with Divij Mehra. Mehra was bowled by Shami and, in the final over of the day, Shokeen was caught at slip off Shami to complete the innings.

Shokeen’s dismissal in the last over of the day ended Delhi’s first innings at 240 in the opening match of the Ranji Trophy.