<p>Resuming at 257 for five, Bengal benefitted most from a Shukla dropped chance behind the stumps on 78 as they made mincemeat of a listless Assam attack on a frustrating second day for the opponents.<br /><br />Shukla was again dropped twice by Assam glovesman Kunal Saikia after completing his century, while Saha got a breather at first slip when on 64 as the two piled on misery for their opponents in a 417-run stand -- all time third highest first-class partnership for the sixth wicket.<br /><br />Batting at No 7, the former Bengal skipper put up a disciplined batting display before demolishing the Assam attack and notched up his best score in his 100th first-class match.<br /><br />Shukla struck three sixes and 35 boundaries in his 481 minute innings from 355 balls, while wicketkeeper-batmsan Saha extended the senior-most Bengal pro perfect support in his knock studded with two sixes and 15 fours (516 minutes, 355 balls).<br /><br />If yesterday's unbroken partnership was all about building the Bengal innings brick-by-brick, Shukla and Saha today made Assam bowlers run for cover as the duo ruled supreme barring the few odd chances.<br /><br />With Assam bowlers at the receiving end, Arlen Konwar (1/174) had a torrid time especially when Shukla demolished the off-spinner for three fours and two sixes in one over. Finally in the post-tea session, veteran Sridharan Sriram brought an end to the big partnership that began in the post-lunch session yesterday, when the left-arm spinner bowled a stepped-out Shukla just after notching 250.<br /><br />It was some sort of a disappointment for Saha who was denied a double century by 22 runs as Bengal declared their innings after 167 overs. Assam were 10 for no loss at stumps on day two.<br /><br />Bengal skipper Manoj Tiwary did not turn up for the day because of high fever and it remains to be seen whether he takes the field tomorrow.<br /><br />Brief Scores:<br />Bengal 1st Innings: 562/6 declared in 167 overs (Laxmi Ratan Shukla 250, Wriddhiman Saha 178). Assam 10 for no loss in 4 overs (Dhiraj Jadhav 10 batting).</p>
<p>Resuming at 257 for five, Bengal benefitted most from a Shukla dropped chance behind the stumps on 78 as they made mincemeat of a listless Assam attack on a frustrating second day for the opponents.<br /><br />Shukla was again dropped twice by Assam glovesman Kunal Saikia after completing his century, while Saha got a breather at first slip when on 64 as the two piled on misery for their opponents in a 417-run stand -- all time third highest first-class partnership for the sixth wicket.<br /><br />Batting at No 7, the former Bengal skipper put up a disciplined batting display before demolishing the Assam attack and notched up his best score in his 100th first-class match.<br /><br />Shukla struck three sixes and 35 boundaries in his 481 minute innings from 355 balls, while wicketkeeper-batmsan Saha extended the senior-most Bengal pro perfect support in his knock studded with two sixes and 15 fours (516 minutes, 355 balls).<br /><br />If yesterday's unbroken partnership was all about building the Bengal innings brick-by-brick, Shukla and Saha today made Assam bowlers run for cover as the duo ruled supreme barring the few odd chances.<br /><br />With Assam bowlers at the receiving end, Arlen Konwar (1/174) had a torrid time especially when Shukla demolished the off-spinner for three fours and two sixes in one over. Finally in the post-tea session, veteran Sridharan Sriram brought an end to the big partnership that began in the post-lunch session yesterday, when the left-arm spinner bowled a stepped-out Shukla just after notching 250.<br /><br />It was some sort of a disappointment for Saha who was denied a double century by 22 runs as Bengal declared their innings after 167 overs. Assam were 10 for no loss at stumps on day two.<br /><br />Bengal skipper Manoj Tiwary did not turn up for the day because of high fever and it remains to be seen whether he takes the field tomorrow.<br /><br />Brief Scores:<br />Bengal 1st Innings: 562/6 declared in 167 overs (Laxmi Ratan Shukla 250, Wriddhiman Saha 178). Assam 10 for no loss in 4 overs (Dhiraj Jadhav 10 batting).</p>