Bengal put up a strong reply with opener Arindam Das' gritty unbeaten half-century after Madhya Pradesh's first innings folded for a challenging 431 in their Group B Ranji Trophy league match at the Eden Gardens.
Bengal coach Ashok Malhotra, who took charge of the team, asked their batsmen to take up extra responsibility in absence of Manoj Tiwary who had been ruled out for about six months due to a knee injury.
An undefeated 66-run seventh wicket partnership between left-hander Manpreet Juneja and seasoned Rakesh Dhruv helped Gujarat reach 230 for six against Bengal on a curtailed opening day of a third round Ranji Trophy encounter.
Captain Manoj Tiwary and pace spearhead Ashoke Dinda will be firing on all cylinders as hosts Bengal take on a young Gujarat side led by Parthiv Patel in a third round Ranji Trophy encounter at the Eden Gardens.
After Jiwanjot Singh and Mayank Sidhana, it was turn of Punjab's wicketkeeper-batsman Uday Kaul to add insult to Bengal's injury with a fine 165 not out as home team piled up a massive 579 for seven declared with an eye on another outright win with bonus points.
A responsible innings by Wriddhiman Saha and his century-partnership with senior pro Laxmi Ratan Shukla helped Bengal end the first day's play against Punjab at a respectable 280 for seven.
India batsman Manoj Tiwary will lead Bengal's 15-member squad against Punjab in their Ranji Trophy match to be held from November 9 to 12 at Mohali.
A commendable first innings lead of 97 helped hosts Bengal get a sizeable lead of 206 runs against Ranji champions Rajasthan despite a mini batting collapse in the second innings.
Bengal had an unlikely hero in Subhomoy Das who rescued the hosts with a delightful 95 in their Group A Ranji Trophy opener against two-time defending champions Rajasthan.
A determined Bengal will look to end a 22-year-long title draught when they begin their Ranji Trophy campaign against two-time defending champions Rajasthan at home on Friday.