The batting heroes who helped Bengal set Ranji Trophy remaining date towards Saurashtra

Even as Bengal is all set to play one other Ranji Trophy remaining at residence after 33 years and hopes to repeat its title profitable feat, a lot of its high-quality exhibiting to this point has rested on the fabulous efficiency of its batters.

Of the three latest seasons (2019-20, 2021-22 and 2022-23), wherein Bengal has reached the finals twice and the semifinals as soon as, the present one stands out for the consistency of its predominant batters, who’ve scored loads of runs. As a outcome, the facet has recorded six large wins – together with two innings victories, one by greater than 300 runs and one other by 9 wickets.

Three Bengal batters – Anustup Majumdar (790), Sudip Gharami (789) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (782) – have amassed near 800 runs individually and three others – captain Manoj Tiwary (398), Shahbaz Ahmed (339) and Abishek Porel (283) – have additionally scored considerably.

This has occurred despite the truth that Abhimanyu and Shahbaz had been absent for just a few matches on account of India responsibility and the workforce did some experimentation for not less than one opener’s slot.

Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla, who desists from making tall claims and has suggested his gamers to maintain their ft on the bottom forward of the ultimate towards an completed Saurashtra beginning on the Eden Gardens right here on Thursday, opens up somewhat to place his batters’ good work in perspective.

“The nets session has become longer, giving the players’ time to bat for more time. In cricket, fitness is skill specific. The more you do it, the better you become. It is unlike the fitness we normally associate with athletics and other sports,” Shukla advised Sportstar on Tuesday.

“During our nets sessions, the stress has been on the skills. If the session starts at 9 AM, then players reach the ground around 7 AM and start practicing. So, by the time the session gets over, they train for four to five hours.”

Shukla acknowledged the position of batting advisor W.V. Raman, who labored with the facet previous to the season. “W.V. Sir helped us. He has a busy schedule, but we keep in touch,” he mentioned.

According to Shukla, a methodical method benefitted the facet. “We are following the old method of cricket. We have been playing together to achieve success,” mentioned Shukla.