Taking East Zone to a position of some strength, Deep Dasgupta crafted a patient unbeaten century on the first day of the Duleep Trophy match against Central Zone at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Tuesday.

Winning the toss, East Zone captain Sanjay Raul opted to bat first. The first session, albeit wicketless, produced agonisingly slow play, with only 78 runs coming from 29 overs. Shiv Sunder Das and Dasgupta put on 115 runs for the first wicket in 37.3 overs before the former fell, having made 60 off 116 balls; 11 fours studded his knock.

Dasgupta lost Rashmi Ranjan Parida after he had made only 5, but skipper Raul then gave him good support, and the pair added 104 runs for the third wicket. Raul made 40 off 108 balls, hitting four fours and ensuring that his side had a good foundation in this match.

Raul fell with the score on 224, and East Zone received a further setback when Pravanjan Mullick retired hurt after making just 16 in as many balls. Subhomoy Das was then trapped in front by Kulamani Parida for a duck, and East Zone looked in a spot of bother.

But Dasgupta continued to anchor the innings sedately, getting to his century off 219 balls and reaching 109 off 278 balls at the close of play. Dasgupta hit 13 fours in his innings, and he was accompanied at stumps by Laxmi Rattan Shukla, who was unbeaten on nine.

East Zone will start the second day on 261 for four and will be looking to Dasgupta to ensure a sound first-innings total before they take the field against Central Zone.

© CricInfo