Odisha’s Swastik Samal and captain
Subhranshu Senapati put up a brilliant 261-run partnership on the third day of their fifth round Elite Group A Ranji Trophy encounter against Nagaland to give the hosts a chance of securing their first outright win of the season.
Having already taken the first innings lead thanks to their bowlers, Odisha didn’t have a great start to their second innings as they were struggling at 16 for 2 at stumps on the second day. But Samal and Senapati put up a batting masterclass and made 169 and 137 respectively at the KIIT Cricket Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday as the hosts declared their second innings on 350 for 5 giving Nagaland a target of 465 runs for victory.
While Samal hit 11 fours and six sixes in his 195-ball innings, the captain had 11 fours and four sixes to his name at the end of his innings that lasted 168 deliveries. The duo went after all the Nagaland bowlers as all of them gave away more than four runs per over. Despite taking two wickets, Rongsen Jonathan was the worst performer among the five bowlers used by the Nagaland captain as his figures read 20-0-108-2.
Despite such a showing, the skipper, however, broke the partnership when he got rid of Samal seven overs before tea catching him off his own bowling. After that, Senapati tried to score some quick runs with Govinda Poddar (12) and Sambit Baral (19 not out) giving him company. But he couldn’t continue much longer and went back to the pavilion five overs after tea, again off Jonathan’s bowling.
By then though, Odisha had amassed enough runs to go all out for win and their bowlers gave them the perfect start as Badal Biswal dismissed opener Sedezhalie Rupero for four in the ninth over.
The visitors are still 424 runs away from victory with Dega Nischal (17 batting) and Hem Chetri (20 batting) at the crease. The duo tackled the Odisha bowlers well so far to take Nagaland to 41 for 1 at stumps on the penultimate day but one believes the hosts will have the upper hand when the play restarts on the final day morning.
Brief scores: Odisha 275 & 350 for 5 decl. in 71 overs (Swastik Samal 169, Subhranshu Senapati 137).
Nagaland 161 & 41 for 1 in 18 overs.
Match to continue.
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