Mukesh Kumar and Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal took four wickets each as Bengal dismissed Bihar for 95 on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match at Eden Gardens on Friday.

Bengal, in reply, were 111/2 at stumps with Abhimanyu Easwaran (48 batting) and Anustup Majumdar (13 batting) at the crease.

Put into bat, Bihar were reduced to 20/3. They struggled against Bengal’s opening bowlers, failing to counter the lateral movement.

Rishav Raj (26) and Sakibul Gani (14) added 32 runs for the fourth wicket to help the visitors cross 50.

However, the partnership came to an end when Mukesh removed Rishav and then followed it up by trapping Gani leg before in the next over to put Bihar in a spot of bother at 53/5.

Raghuvendra Pratap Singh scored a useful 23 against the run of play, but the lower-order batters failed to put up a fight. Bihar lost their final five wickets for just 42.

“As much as I enjoy bowling for India, I enjoy it for Bengal as well. I am happy to have done well today. Suraj is also being consistent with the ball and I hope he will have a bright future ahead. My experience at India level is surely helping me here,” Mukesh said after the day’s play.

Brief scores: Bihar 95 (Mukesh Kumar 4/18, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal 4/47). Bengal 111/2 (Abhimanyu Easwaran 48 batting). At stumps, Day I