Bhubaneswar: Anurag Sarangi (58, 155b, 8×4, 1×6) and Suryakant Pradhan (54, 41b, 4×4, 4×6) enabled Odisha take a 29-run first innings lead in their Elite Group C match of the Ranji Trophy in Ranchi, Friday. In reply, the hosts reached 107/3 in their second essay at stumps on the second day.
Resuming the play at 27/3, Odisha suffered more misery when they lost their skipper Biplab Samantray (23) to be reduced to 57/4. At that time, reaching 100 had looked like a mountain to climb for the visitors.
However, Anurag found an able ally in Abhishek Rout (37, 33b, 8×4) as the duo put on a 61-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Abhishek was more aggressive among the two dealing with boundaries while Anurag held one end of the wicket.
Abhishek’s departure reduced Odisha to 118/5 before Sujit Lenka (5) followed his path soon after coming in to the crease, leaving the visitors reeling at 130/6.
Anurag, with Suryakant, then forged a seventh wicket partnership of 46 runs before Anukul Roy (2/35) dismissed the visiting opener. Then, it was all Suryakanth show as the pacer showed his power-hitting skills keeping most of the strikes.
In spite of losing his partners at the other end, he took Odisha past 200-run mark before getting out while going for some quick runs. In the process, he also completed his half century.
In reply, the hosts started well with the openers Kumar Deobrat (37) and skipper Md Nazim (16) take their side past 50 runs. However, Odisha came back strongly and three wickets in a span of six runs reduced Jharkhand to 58/3. Later, seasoned pair of Saurabh Tiwary (22 batting) and Ishank Jaggi (29 batting) ensured the hosts of no more hiccups on the day, putting on an unbeaten 49-run stand for the fourth wicket. Rajesh Mohanty (2/35) and Dhiraj Singh (1/24) were the wicket takers for Odisha.
Brief scores: Jharkhand 172 & 107/3 (Kumar Deobrat 37; Rajesh Mohanty 2/35); Odisha 201 (Anurag Sarangi 58, Suryakant Pradhan 54; Anukul Roy 2/35). Match to continue.
