KOLKATA: Bengal strengthened their hold over the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match against Jharkhand by taking a crucial first-innings lead at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday. At stumps on Day 2, the hosts were sitting pretty on 238 for five, enjoying a 65-run lead over Jharkhand, who were bowled out for 173 the previous day.
However, Bengal should have been in at a much stronger position had they not failed to capitalise on a solid 136-run first-wicket stand between Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sudip Gharami. The Laxmi Ratan Shukla-coached side once again missed out on a good start losing newcomer opener Kazi Junaid Saifi early in the morning for only one.
