Bengal showed the will to make things happen and stuck to their plan with some focus on the opening day of their Group B match against Rajasthan to take a big step towards the semifinals.
Electing to field on a decent pitch for batting where some tiny nodules of grass helped seam movement, the hosts shot out Ajay Jadeja's inexperienced side four minutes before tea and overcame an early setback to reach 80 for one at stumps chasing a primary target of 194.
A lead will guarantee them a place in the knockout round, while a good day for the batsmen can put Bengal on course for an outright win which will make them group champions.
Swinging the spotlight away from Sourav Ganguly, on the forefront of Bengal's demolition of a batting line-up showing a surprising lack of temperament that could stem from the fact that Rajasthan had nothing to gain or lose from this match, was Ranadeb Bose (6/34).
The medium-pacer, enjoying the run of his life, came back after a wayward opening spell of six overs to break a threatening third-wicket stand between Rahul Kanwat and Nikhil Doru. He struck again next ball and took four more in a third spell of 3.2 overs.
{{/usCountry}}The medium-pacer, enjoying the run of his life, came back after a wayward opening spell of six overs to break a threatening third-wicket stand between Rahul Kanwat and Nikhil Doru. He struck again next ball and took four more in a third spell of 3.2 overs.
{{/usCountry}}His fourth five-wicket haul of the season was a just reward of his ability to swing the ball both ways, which has been sharpened by accuracy and a desire to bowl.
Scoreboard
Rajasthan 1st innings 193 (Kanwat 62, Jadeja 41; R Bose 6/31, S Sarkar 4/78). Bengal 1st innings 80/1 (S Das batting 39, A Jhunjhunwala batting 40)