The Green Park in Kanpur witnessed a masterclass in swing bowling on Friday, January 12th, 2024, as veteran speedster Bhuvneshwar Kumar orchestrated Uttar Pradesh’s remarkable comeback against Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. His spellbinding five-wicket haul, his 13th in first-class cricket, ripped through the Bengal batting lineup, leaving them stunned and staring at a potentially uphill battle.
The morning had belonged to Bengal’s Mohammed Kaif, brother of the legendary Mohammed Shami. Kaif’s fiery pace tore through the UP top order, sending them back for a paltry 60 runs in just 20.5 overs. The mood was somber, the home crowd silenced, and Bengal looked poised to capitalize on their early advantage.
But this is where the Bhuvi show began. With the ball still swinging beautifully under overcast skies, Bhuvi, his gentle run-up belying the venom in his bowling, unleashed a symphony of swing, seam, and guile. Sourav Paul and Sudip Gharami, Bengal’s opening pair, were his first victims, dismissed in quick succession inside three balls. The first, a beautiful outswinger that took Paul’s edge and flew to the keeper, was a warning shot. The second, a searing inswinger that trapped Gharami lbw plumb in front, was the declaration of Bhuvi’s intent.
The Bengal middle order, renowned for their grit and resilience, offered little resistance against the Bhuvi storm. Anustup Majumdar, lured by a tempting outswinger, edged to slip. Captain Manoj Tiwary, playing for his wicket after a string of low scores, succumbed to a vicious inswinger that crashed into his middle stump. Abhishek Porel, the young talent touted as the future of Bengal batting, played a hopeful cover drive, only to find the edge and Bhuvi at gully, celebrating his fourth scalp.
With each wicket, the roar of the Kanpur crowd grew louder, drowning out the Bengali chants that had dominated the morning. The tension on the field was palpable, the Bengal batsmen resembling rabbits caught in the headlights of a juggernaut.
The final act of Bhuvi’s drama unfolded in the final over before tea. Akash Deep, the promising pace bowler, misjudged a swinging yorker and was castled, sending the UP camp into eruptive celebrations. Bhuvi, the maestro of the day, had his five-for, etching his name in the annals of the Ranji Trophy with a spell of remarkable skill and control.
Bhuvi’s performance wasn’t just about wickets; it was about resilience. After a string of injuries and doubts about his international future, he roared back with a performance that reaffirmed his class and hunger. His bowling was a throwback to his early days, the swing reminiscent of a young bowler mesmerizing batsmen at will.
Bengal, their batting decimated for 100, entered the second day facing a colossal task. UP, despite their low score, had hope rekindled in their hearts, thanks to the Bhuvi show. The Green Park pitch, still offering movement, and the unpredictable Bengal weather added another layer of intrigue to the contest.
With the Ranji Trophy season still in its infancy, Bhuvi’s five-wicket haul has set the stage for a thrilling campaign. Bengal, wounded but not out, will look to fight back. But for now, the spotlight belongs to Bhuvi, the magician who spun a web of swing and silenced the tigers of Bengal. The story of this Ranji Trophy match, however, is far from over. The final chapter is yet to be written, and the battle lines are drawn. And it’s all thanks to the Bhuvi show that painted the first stroke of this cricketing masterpiece.
