Ranji Star Gharami Becomes First Indian To Get Out On 299; Equals Bradman's Record

Sudip Kumar Gharami delivered a career-defining innings but was heartbreakingly denied a historic triple century as Bengal strengthened their command over the Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Andhra on Monday.

The 26-year-old opener produced a monumental knock of 299 from 596 balls during a marathon stay of 930 minutes, spread across three days at the Bengal Cricket Academy. Just one run away from history, Gharami was bowled by a delivery that stayed low and clipped his off stump, bringing a premature end to one of Bengal's finest first-class innings.

Despite the anti-climactic dismissal, Gharami's effort rescued Bengal from a precarious position and placed them firmly in control. He became the first Indian and only the third batter in first-class cricket history to be dismissed on exactly 299, joining Martin Crowe and Mike Powell. Don Bradman and Shantanu Sugwekar had famously remained unbeaten on the same score.

Resuming at 418 for six, Bengal relied on Gharami to bat Andhra out of the contest-and he delivered in emphatic fashion. He first added a crucial 221-run partnership for the sixth wicket with keeper-batter Habib Gandhi, who narrowly missed a maiden first-class century with a gritty 95. Earlier, Gharami had also stitched together a vital 165-run stand with Sumanta Gupta after Bengal slipped to 153 for five.

Displaying immense patience and technical solidity, Gharami's innings was laced with 31 fours and six sixes, blending classical strokeplay with controlled aggression. His 596-ball vigil now ranks as the sixth-longest first-class innings by an Indian.

After Gharami's dismissal, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami provided late entertainment, smashing 53 off just 33 balls to propel Bengal to a massive 629, giving them a commanding first-innings lead of 334.

In reply, Andhra faltered early, losing three wickets for 64 runs by stumps. With 270 runs still needed to avoid a first-innings defeat, Bengal remain firmly in control heading into the next phase of the match.