Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Prashant, Chandela lead Uttarakhand fightback against Bengal
Prashant Chopra and captain Kunal Chandela’s dogged fifties in the second innings enabled Uttarakhand to put up a good fight against Bengal on the penultimate day of the Ranji Trophy Group-C match at the Eden Gardens here on Friday.
Bengal, resuming from 274 for six, finished at 323 and earned a decent first-innings lead of 110 runs.
Uttarakhand overcame the setback of losing its opener Avneesh Sudha, who was caught in the slips to become Akash Deep’s first scalp, in the second over to close the day at 165 for two in its second essay and with a lead of 55 runs.
In the morning, Sumanta Gupta returned to the home pavilion without adding anything to his overnight 82 as Devendra Bora completed his maiden fifer.
However, the Bengal tail-enders made useful contributions and gathered 49 runs as the host’s lead crossed 100.
On a slow track that tested the patience and discipline of both batters and bowlers and triggered a blame game in the home association, Chopra (82, 163b, 10×4) and Chandela (68 batting, 203b, 8×4) adapted well and played deliveries on merit through the slow grind. Their 146-run partnership resisted Bengal’s ambition for an outright win.
Chandela, who held one end and gathered most of his runs through singles, got his boundaries predominantly on the leg-side.
Chopra, a former Himachal player making his First-Class debut for Uttarakhand, cut and drove well for his fours even though his primary focus was to work the ball around. He was trapped in front by left-arm spinner Vishal Bhati in the final hour.
The Bengal bowlers, including the star duo of Mohammed Shami and Akash, worked hard without much assistance from the surface. Shami, who bowled 15 overs in four spells including his second spell of five overs, chose a better line and length and emerged as the most economical of the home bowlers.
Published on Oct 17, 2025
