Abhimanyu Easwaran hammers his 23rd First-Class century, completes 7,000 runs
Bengal star batter Abhimanyu Easwaran stood tall on Day 2 against Bihar in the 2024 Ranji Trophy. The experienced campaign was unbeaten on 48 at stumps on Day 1 and has continued that onslaught to complete his 23rd century in First-Class cricket. Eventually, Easwaran hammered a 291-ball 200*, laced with 23 boundaries. Courtesy of his knock, Bengal declared at 411/4 in the first innings.
Easwaran anchors the Bengal innings
Easwaran added 35 runs with debutant Shakir Habib Gandhi followed by a 57-run stand with Karan Lal. Later, he stitched a 90-run stand with Anustup Majumdar. On Day 2, he carried on the good work with Manoj Tiwary, adding another 80 runs. He stitched up two crucial partnerships of 94 and 55* runs with Abishek Porel and Shahbaz Ahmed. Easwaran dug in and delivered.
Third consecutive 50-plus score in FC cricket
The 28-year-old has announced his return to Bengal whites with some defining knocks. Easwaran hammered the twin fifties (72 & 65) in the previous match against Kerala. Easwaran has now returned with a double century in the following clash against Bihar.
Easwaran had a good outing in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy
Easwaran had a brilliant outing in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy. The experienced campaigner returned with 798 runs from eight matches at 66.50. He slammed three fifties and as many centuries last season. His runs at the top were crucial for Bengal as they finished as runners-up in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy. Easwaran was Bengal's third-highest run-getter, behind Majumdar (867) and Sudip Gharami (803).
Easwaran surpasses 7,000 runs in First-Class cricket
Playing his 94th First-Class match, Easwaran has surpassed 7,000 runs (7,006) at an average above 46. Apart from his 23 centuries, he has also smoked 29 fifties in this format. Notably, he has amassed 337 runs in the 2024 Ranji Trophy campaign, having played only two matches. He has slammed three 50-plus scores. Easwaran has been Bengal's standout batter on the domestic circuit.
How has the match progressed?
Bowling first, Bengal simply ran past Bihar's batting order as pacers Mukesh Kumar and Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal claimed four wickets each. Therefore Bihar were bundled out for 95. In reply, Easwaran's 200* has helped Bengal declare at 411/5. Porel In the second innings, Bihar are 32/1 at stumps on Day 2 as they trail by 284 runs.
