post news network
Cuttack, Oct 10: As expected, the policy of playing with five regular batsmen backfired as Orissa conceded a slender 14-run first innings lead to Maharashtra in their Group A Ranji Trophy tie here Saturday at the Barabati Stadium. Chasing Maharashtra’s first innings score of 281, the hosts were bowled out for 267.
At stumps, the visitors were 156 for three with Kedar Jadhav (19 batting) and Ankit Bawane (16 batting) at the crease. Unless something miraculous happens, Maharashtra are well assured of three points with Sunday being the last day of the game.
Govind Poddar’s (100, 205b, 14×4) second successive hundred went in vain as after his dismissal, the rest of the batters fell in a heap against some accurate and incisive bowling by Shrikant Mundhe (6/62). The Maharashtra medium pacer bowled a nagging length and frequently hit that ‘corridor of uncertainty’ which had the batsmen playing and missing a lot.
Govind and Pratik Das (62, 148b, 4×4, 2×6) put on 145 runs for the fifth wicket, but after the former’s dismissal with the score reading 213, the hosts lost their remaining five wickets for only 54 runs. Mundhe accounted for Pratik, Rajesh Dhupar (12) and Deepak Behera (12) in quick succession and was well supported by the other fast man, Anupam Sanklecha (2/58) who dismissed Govind and Suryakant Pradhan (0). Basant Mohanty (19) made a brave effort but he ran out of partners.
Brief scores: Maharashtra 281 and 156 for 3 (SM Gugale 71); Orissa 267 (Govind Poddar 100, Pratik Das 62, Shrikant Mundhe 6/62). Match to continue.
Other Group A Games
(At Bangalore): Bengal 312 and 58 for 2; Karnataka 537/9 (S Gopal 139, KK Nair 126, Veer Pratap Singh 4/86); Match to continue.
(At Guwahati): Rajasthan 186 and 47 for 3; Assam 422/9 (KB Arun Karthik 151, KN Saikia 50, K Ajay Singh 5/116); Match to continue.
(At Delhi): Vidarbha 298 and 47 for 4; Delhi 302 all out (Gautam Gambhir 96, AA Wakhare 5/119); Match to continue.
