Absorbing tussle at the Eden Gardens

At times even a four-day match can turn out to be more interesting than a one day game. The ongoing Ranji Trophy Super League group A tie between Bengal and Karnataka at the Eden Gardens has all the indications of developing into a real thriller. At close of play on Sunday, the visitors were 119 for three wickets chasing Bengal's first innings total of 316.

Karnataka have to score another 198 for the first innings lead. With seven wickets in hand that does not look to be too tough a proposition. However, on a pitch where left arm spinners Utpal Chatterjee and Vishal Yadav are making the ball turn and jump up to shoulder height, batting has become a wee bit difficult.

In the morning, Venkatesh Prasad and Dodda Ganesh polished off the Bengal tail. Ganesh had the misfortune of seeing umpire Giridhar turn down a caught behind appeal off the very first ball of the day against Saba Karim. The batsman himself confessed at the end of the day's play that he had indeed nicked the ball. Karim went on to remain unbeaten on 129 with 19 boundaries as Bengal lost their remaining five wickets for the addition of another 35 runs. Ganesh removed Chatterjee and Laxmi Ratan Shukla in one over. Then Prasad struck having Vishal Yadav leg before with a ball that came a long way back. Both bowled superbly in the morning making the ball move both ways.

Karnataka in reply suffered a rude jolt when Shukla had Arun Kumar plumb in front with an off cutter. The batsman had shaped to play the ball as an outswinger and was surprised when it nipped back. Then it was a battle between Chatterjee and the Karnataka batsman. Strokeplay was not possible and survival became difficult. However, one drop Roland Barrington showed tremendous grit and determination as he scored an unbeaten 43 in 272 minutes of 211 balls. After Karnataka had lost Mithun Beerala and Tilak Naidu, Barrington found an ally in A. Vijay. These two saw the side through till stumps without any further loss.

Beerala after scoring 35 tried to cut a ball that jumped on him and was caught at point by Charanjit Singh. Naidu gloved a ball as it spun past him to the 'keeper. The hopes of Karnataka now depend on the two unbeaten batsman as any new player will find it very difficult to survive. Even though runs were scored at a snail's pace, the battle between bat and the ball was quite absorbing.