Ranji Trophy 2026/27: In-form Bengal takes on Maharashtra in aim to solidify top spot

Bengal's Mohammed Shami and Shahbaz Ahmed, left, will give Maharashtra a tough test. | Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindran

Backed by the momentum of its early upsurge, Bengal will start as the favourite in its Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C contest against Maharashtra starting here on Monday.

Following three outright wins, table topper Bengal returns to the Eden Gardens for the first time this season with 18 points in its kitty. The confident home outfit needs to carry on its positive brand of cricket to stop the second-placed Maharashtra, which has done well to secure 12 points through a six-pointer and two first innings leads.

Sudip Gharami, Shahbaz Ahmed – who struck a century in the previous match – and Abishek Porel have got runs under their belt. Captain Abhimanyu Easwaran and his new opening partner Ankur Paul will be keen to convert their starts into big knocks, while the experienced Sudip Chatterjee will look to make an impact. Sumanta Gupta will be encouraged by his handy contributions.

READ | Ranji Trophy 2026-27 points table

The host will go with a three-pace-two-spin combination with the experienced Mohammed Shami leading a pack of speedsters. In-form spinners Shahbaz, who has dazzled with his all-round skills since his return against Services, and Pradipta Pramanik, who captured 10 wickets against Kerala, are capable of troubling any opposition.

Maharashtra, comprising some younger players, has relied heavily on Ankit Bawne, who has scored two centuries, and Digvijay Patil in batting. Harshad Kate and Saurabh Nawale have shown glimpses of their ability by getting half-centuries in its drawn affair against Gujarat. Captain Prithvi Shaw, who has scored a 70, would like to pile runs against the formidable host.

Pacers Pradeep Dadhe and Rajyavardhan Hangrekar and spinners Vicky Otswal and Siddhesh Veer have served the visitors well.

On a sporting pitch and a lush green outfield, both sides will try to grab maximum points from this crucial contest before the break even as the rain forecast issues a mild threat.