Ashutosh Singh’s fine half-century enabled Chhattisgarh to deny Bengal the first-innings lead on the final day of the bad light-marred Ranji Trophy Group-B match at the Eden Gardens here on Monday. After play started an hour late due to poor light, Chhattisgarh, resuming at 27 for two, resisted the home bowlers to post 214 for six before the match ended in a draw.
As the first innings could not be completed, both teams got one point apiece in the match in which only 220 overs could be bowled over four days due to visibility issues. Even as the Bengal pacers tried every trick in the book, Chhattisgarh’s overnight batters Ashutosh and Jivesh Butte stayed firm to see off the first session.
The host tasted success in the first over of the middle session when Suraj Jaiswal had Butte caught behind. Butte formed a crucial 52-run stand with Ashutosh.A focused Ashutosh and Sanjeet Desai batted with determination to add 104 runs for the fourth wicket. More importantly, they played out nearly 46 overs and took the match well into the third session.
