Aditya Sarwate's Return Sparks Kerala as Bengal Reach 172/6 on Rain-Hit Day 1

Kerala made the most of a rain-curtailed opening day against Bengal in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match at the KCA Stadium in Mangalapuram. After the entire first session was lost to rain, only 50 overs were possible, and Bengal finished on 172 for 6. Kerala captain Vishnu Vinod won the toss and chose to field, and the decision paid off early as Bengal's top order struggled. Aditya Sarwate, who returned to Kerala after one season with Chhattisgarh, was the standout bowler. His wicket-to-wicket left-arm spin created constant pressure and gave the hosts the initiative. Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran fell in the fifth over, edging MD Nidheesh to wicketkeeper Mohammed Azharuddin. Ankur Paul responded with a fluent fifty off 64 balls, but Bengal could not build long partnerships. Aamir Gani, promoted to No. 3, was caught by Abhishek Nair off Basil N soon after the first drinks break. Sarwate then struck twice in the same over, dismissing Sudip Chatterjee for 6 and Avishek Porel for a golden duck. Chatterjee edged to Sachin Baby in the slips, while Porel hit the ball straight back to the bowler. Bengal slipped from 102 for 2 to 108 for 5. Sudip Kumar Gharami and Shahbaz Ahmed repaired the innings with a 62-run sixth-wicket stand. Gharami made 36 before he was caught by Abhishek Nair off Basil N in the penultimate over of the day. Shahbaz remained unbeaten and will be key to Bengal's effort to push the total towards a competitive score on the second day. Bad light ended play after 50 overs. Kerala's bowlers were disciplined throughout: Nidheesh gave an early breakthrough, Basil N picked up two wickets, and Sarwate controlled the middle overs. Kerala hold the advantage, but Bengal's late resistance has kept the match open.