New Delhi: All-rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla hit a magnificent century to singlehandedly guide Bengal to the Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph as they comprehensively thrashed heavyweights Mumbai by six wickets in the final here on Monday
It was an outstanding effort from the 31-year-old who has never done justice to his talent but finally came good when it mattered most.
His effort helped Bengal chase down the target of 249 with 23 balls to spare, thus winning their first National One Day Championship in fourth attempt.
Shukla who got four for 38 to restrict Mumbai under 250 then showed his big-hitting prowess, remaining not out on 106 off only 90 balls. With in-form batsman Anushtup Majumdar (50 not out), Shukla took Mumbai attack to the cleaners, adding 107 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket stand in under 14 overs. Both batsmen played some great shots — especially Shukla who played the square cut and cover drive apart from lofting the spinners over the in-field.
The winning stroke came off Anushtup’s bat as the ball raced to the boundary even as the whole Bengal squad strode onto the pitch. Credit should also be given to skipper Ganguly (38, 53 balls, 6×4) and Shreevats Goswami (42, 73 balls, 3×4) for adding 69 valuable runs after Subhamoy Das was trapped leg before by Ajit Agarkar.
Incidentally, it was also Ganguly’s maiden national title as Bengal captain having made his first-class debut way back in 1990.
Shukla takes a dig at national selector
Shukla took a dig at the national selector from east zone Raja Venkat for having dropped him on disciplinary grounds.
“They are talking about indiscipline and I don’t know what they are talking about. To the best of my knowledge, I have never been indisciplined. The problem is that people who select the team haven’t even come to the ground and watched me play,” Shukla said, taking a dig at Venkat.
The reason of indiscipline cited by zonal selection committee was that despite being picked for Duleep Trophy on two occasions, Shukla had pulled out at the last moment. “On the first occasion, I was injured and on the second occasion, I had a very private ceremony at home which I couldn’t have avoided. I am not accusing anyone but may be Mr Venkat was not present when I played matches in Calcutta,” Shukla said. (PTI)