Ranji Trophy 2024: Ricky Bhui's special ton gives Andhra 3 points against Bengal after first inning's lead

Ricky Bhui's stunning 175 for Andhra Pradesh against Bengal in their first fixture of Ranji Trophy 2024 helped them earn three points after earning a first-innings lead of 36 runs at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag.

Bengal scored 409 runs in the first inning but Andhra Pradesh fought back and scored 445 runs in reply. Anustup Majumdar scored an excellent 125 runs in the first inning for Bengal. However, it was Ricky Bhui's 175 that made all the difference at the end.

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Ricky Bhui and Shoaib Md Khan continued their brilliant partnership which they formed on Day 3 and kept pushing toward 400. Bengal bowlers looked helpless in front of Bhui who just kept on punishing the poor deliveries offered by the visitors.

Ishan Porel, who was expected to lead the bowling lineup for Bengal along with Akash Deep, couldn't do that much with the red cherry in his hands. Ishan gave away 102 runs in 36 overs and picked up just two wickets.

The only positive from Bengal's bowling attack was the debutant Mohammad Kaif, who once again delivered a top-notch spell on Day 4 and picked up the wicket of Sasikanth.

Post his 15th first-class century, Ricky Bhui looked more solid as he kept on extending the partnership with Shoaib. However, Shoaib (56) was dismissed by Karan Lal at the end. But, the damage was already done for Bengal.

Also Read: Ranji Trophy 2024: Ricky Bhui's century keeps Andhra Pradesh in the match; Bengal set to lose their first-inning lead

Ricky was the last man to return to the dressing room but he had done his job perfectly. His iconic 175-run knock helped Andhra Pradesh not only reach the 400-run mark but also take a healthy 36-run lead.

Skipper Hanuma Vihari knew in which direction the match is heading and the first-inning lead could earn them three points and it perfectly happened in Andhra's favour.

Bengal started brilliantly in their second inning and formed a 70-run opening stand but it didn't go as Bengal planned. Sourav Paul, the debutant who scored 96 runs in the first inning, departed for 30 in the second inning. Shreyansh Ghosh remained not out on the crease after scoring 29 runs alongside Sudip Kumar Gharami.

Andhra came up with a plan and executed it. The last season's runner-up had to be satisfied with just one point from their opening match of the Ranji Trophy 2024.