Cuttack: Comeback man Natraj Behera (91, 208b, 13×4, 1×6) finally got back his form and a determined display by a couple of other Orissa batsmen kept Tamil Nadu bowlers at bay as the hosts finished at 286 for four at stumps on the third day in their Ranji Trophy Group C encounter at the DRIEMS Ground in Tangi, Saturday.
Chasing Tamil Nadu’s mammoth first innings total of 530, Orissa openers resumed at the overnight score of 36 without loss and went about their job in an efficient manner. Natraj’s partner Sandeep Patanaik (66, 127b, 11×4) also batted resolutely and the two put on 128 runs to frustrate the Tamil Nadu attack.
Both mixed caution with aggression and played some exquisite shots to keep the scoreboard ticking. Medium pacer Yo Mahesh (1/31) provided the much-needed breakthrough for the visitors when he got Sandeep caught by substitute Kaushik Gandhi.
Skipper Govinda Poddar (29, 57b, 4×4) started confidently and along with Natraj added 48 runs for the second wicket. But he threw his wicket away while attempting to whack off-spinner Washington Sundar (2/48) over mid-wicket and was caught by his TN counterpart Abhinav Mukund.
The hosts then lost two quick wickets as Subhransu Senapati was bowled by Sundar when he played down the wrong line while Natraj’s long vigil at the crease ended when he was trapped leg-before by Rahil Shah (1/45), playing across the line. Orissa were then looking down the barrel at 208 for four.
However, the in-form Biplab Samantaray (44 batting, 90b, 6×4) and youngster Shantanu Mishra (37 batting, 121b, 5×4) forged an unbeaten 78-run stand for the fifth wicket to resurrect the innings. If they can bat out till lunch, Sunday, then Orissa can certainly force a draw.
Brief scores: Tamil Nadu 530/8 decl; Orissa 286/4 (Natraj Behera 91, Sandeep Patnaik 66, Biplab Samantray 44 batting, Santanu Mishra 37 batting; Washington Sundar 2/48). Match to continue.
Other Group C matches
(At Mumbai): Mumbai 171 and 102/4 (Prithvi Shaw 56); Baroda 575/9 decl (Swapnil Singh 164; Shardul Thakur 3/95).
(At Agartala): Andhra Pradesh 402 and 51/1; Tripura 315 (Manisankar Murasingh 81, Gurinedr Singh 81; Bhargav Bhatt 4/93).
All matches to continue Sunday.
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