Kolkata: Opener Ranjot Singh Kharia smashed a brilliant unbeaten 139 to help Bengal under-25 team post 296/2 at stumps on Day 1 against Punjab in their Col C K Nayudu Trophy at Jadavpur University 2nd Campus ground at Salt Lake here on Sunday.
Put into bat, Bengal got off to a positive start but lost opener Yuvraj Keswani (15) in the seventh over of the day.
From there on, Ranjot and incoming batsman Ankur Paul (65) held the innings firmly without giving the opposition any opportunity to stage another comeback.
The duo looked in fine touch, adding a much-needed 124-run partnership for the second wicket to take the team to a strong position.
But after the dismissal of Ankur, Kazi Junaid Saifi (62 not out) came in to give fine support to Ranjot at the other end. Despite the two wickets, Ranjot kept playing his natural game and brought up his century in style. He struck 17 fours and a six in his innings.
The duo piled on some quick runs, while gathering a vital unbeaten 150-run partnership for the third wicket at the end of the day.
