Shukla shines as Bengal beat Jharkhand

Kolkata: Skipper Laxmi Rattan Shukla shone with both bat and ball to steer hosts Bengal to a 90-run victory over Jharkhand in their first match of the East Zone ODI championships for the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Eden Gardens here on Sunday.

In reply to Bengal's 241 all out off 48.2 overs, Jharkhand, who opted to field after winning the toss, collapsed to 151 in 40.4 overs.

Shukla, after scoring a gutsy 82 off 92 balls (7x4 and one six) also bagged two vital Jharkhand wickets later.

The dependable Bengal all-rounder, who was caught by Manoj Singh off medium pacer Kuldip Sharma, was ably assisted by opener Wridhiman Saha and Manoj Tiwary.

While Saha made 44 (7x4 and 1x6) before being caught by Rameez Nemat off medium pacer Rahul Shukla, Tiwary was caught and bowled by off-spinner Keshab Kumar. Tiwary scored 37 off 57 balls (2x4).

Former Indian skipper and Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders captain Sourav Ganguly, however, fell early after a breezy start notching 17 off 20 balls with four boundaries.

Ganguly, who was aiming a lofted drive, fell to a Kuldip Sharma delivery spooning to Subrata Ghosh.

Sharma, the most successful Jharkhand bowler, bagged four Bengal wickets conceding 33 runs in nine overs while left arm spinner Manoj Singh took two Bengal wickets for 41 runs.
http://cricketnext.in.com/news/shukla-shines-as-bengal-beat-jharkhand/38315-13.html