The title of Player of the Match was awarded to Shahbaz Ahmed due to his adaptability. The left-hander secured his third First-Class century and guided Bengal’s comeback in the first innings with eight fours and four sixes in his 203-ball innings of 121. After taking 2/19 in the second innings and 2/22 in Kerala’s first innings, he finished the game with figures of 4/41.
Following his recovery from a knee injury sustained during the Duleep Trophy, Shahbaz Ahmed reflected on his comprehensive contribution to Bengal’s resounding victory.
The batsmen’s challenging circumstances at the location and the team’s collaborative effort were underscored by the left-hander.
Bengal’s victory over Kerala in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C on October 26–29, 2026, at the KCA Cricket Ground in Thiruvananthapuram was a dominant 287–run victory. Bengal recovered from a perilous first-innings position of 108 for five to score 350, a total that proved to be critical in the four-day match. In their second innings, Kerala failed to achieve the target of 408 runs, scoring only 198.
What was the role of Pradipta Pramanik in Bengal’s resounding victory?
Pradipta Pramanik’s bowling performance was exceptional, resulting in his first 10-wicket victory in First Class cricket. The spinners combined for 10/95 during the match, capturing 6/51 in Kerala’s second innings and 4/44 in their first. When the hosts were unable to maintain their momentum on the final day, Pramanik, who was participating in his 19th First Class match, replaced Kerala captain Vishnu Vinod for 19.
Pramanik, an orthodox left-arm bowler, attributed his success to the precise execution of line and measure on a turning surface.
What was the rationale behind the Bengal coach’s decision to forgo the follow-on?
Bengal’s success was contingent upon its ability to make sound decisions. Coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla elected to bat again rather than impose the follow-on, despite Kerala’s subpar first-innings total of 141. Shukla prioritized the regulation of the venue’s humidity levels and the recovery of the bowler over the pursuit of an additional bonus point.
Mohammed Shami, a seasoned bowler, significantly contributed to Bengal’s bowling attack. He captured three wickets in the initial innings and two in the subsequent one.
Ankur Paul scored 66 runs and Sumanta Gupta scored 49 runs in Bengal’s opening innings. In the second inning, Abhimanyu Easwaran scored 47, Sudip Chatterjee 34, and Shami 26. During Kerala’s second-innings chase, Mohammed Azharuddeen scored 26 off 44 balls with three boundaries and MD Nidheesh scored 33 off 28 deliveries with five fours and a six. However, these efforts were insufficient to withstand Bengal’s bowling assault.
Bengal has secured an 18-point advantage in Elite Group C after winning for the third time in a row this season. Shahbaz Ahmed underscored the team’s collective strength in his assessment of the game, which was demonstrated by the team’s balanced batting and bowling performances.
