Ranji Trophy: Gharami's 186, Anustup's 117 and minister Tiwary's 54 power Bengal to massive total

Sudip Gharami hogged the limelight for the second day running with a 186-run knock as Bengal reached 577 for five in their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Jharkhand on Tuesday. The seasoned Anustup Majumdar helped himself to a century (117) before Manoj Tiwary, a sitting minister for youth affairs and sports in West Bengal, walked back unbeaten on 54 at the end of second day's play at the Just Cricket Academy Ground.

Looking to accelerate the scoring rate, the 23-year-old Gharami's stay in the middle ended with a contentious decision after which Bengal looked to nudge the ball around for ones and twos, rather than going for quick runs and declaring their first innings. There were no signs of urgency from Bengal and it remains to be seen how long do they bat on the third day.

There was no contact between the bat and the ball on its way to wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra on the leg side, but the umpire still adjudged Gharami out. Gharami, who was 106 overnight, got out after scoring 186 off 380 balls, hitting 21 fours and a six during his long stay at the crease.

The Gharami-Majumdar stand was worth 243 runs. Opener Abhishek Raman, who retired hurt on 41 on the opening day, returned to make 61, while Abishek Porel, who was part of India's Under-19 World Cup-winning squad earlier this year, chipped in with a 111-ball 68, making full use of the opportunity he got after Wriddhiman Saha's departure following differences with the Cricket Association of Bengal.