Shukla and Ganguly slam hundreds on opening day
Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Sourav Ganguly cracked hundreds as East Zone made a powerful start on the first day of the Duleep Trophy tie against Bangladesh Cricket Board XI at Nagpur
Cricinfo staff
22-Feb-2005
Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Sourav Ganguly cracked hundreds as East Zone made a powerful start on the first day of the Duleep Trophy tie against Bangladesh Cricket Board XI at Nagpur. Shukla, who had a fine run in the league phase of the Ranji Trophy with six fifties, raced to 123 in 143 balls, including five sixes, and along with Ganguly cashed in on the solid start given by the top order. Ganguly's knock was more sedate, 110 off 169 balls, but he was unbeaten at stumps and all set to launch into a big score tomorrow.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the wicketkeeper, and Arindam Das laid the platform earlier in the day with contrasting efforts. Dhoni, who came in after Shiv Sundar Das fell early, carted eight fours and a six in his breezy 51. Arindam made a steady 43 before falling to Abdur Razzak - the left-arm spinner was the most effective Bangladesh bowler with 3 for 98 - and East were soon 126 for 4 and in danger of slipping. That's when Shukla and Ganguly seized the advantage and took East to a fantastic position.
Bangladesh, who are playing their first game of the competition, used eight bowlers in their bid to break the partnership but it was too little too late on a fiery debut in Indian first-class cricket.