Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 10: A fine all-round performance by Alok Sahoo (35, 5/39) and an enterprising knock by Aravind Singh (62, 64b, 5×4, 1×6) enabled last year’s semifinalists Orissa script a narrow three-run victory Thursday over Vidarbha in a Group C Vijay Hazare Trophy encounter at the Airforce Ground in Palam, New Delhi.
Vidarbha who had topped Group A in the Ranji Trophy preliminaries came into the match as firm favourites against Orissa who had finished last but one in the same group. But the strong Vidarbha side found a different Orissa team all together as the side from east held their nerves in the last few overs to win the game.
Orissa scored 226 for the loss of nine wickets in their 50 overs and then restricted the opposition to 223 all out with comeback man Biplab Samantray (37 and 1/23) dismissing Vidarbha top scorer Ravi Jangid (97, 105b, 9×4, 1×6). The batsman tried to hit Biplab out of the ground with five needed for victory in the last over, but could only hole out to Govind Poddar at the deep mid-wicket fence.
The morning, however, had not started well for Orissa. Electing to bat, after winning the toss, they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 135 for six in the 35th over. At that point of time a 200-plus score seemed a distant dream.
But Aravind and Alok put on 85 runs for the seventh wicket mixing caution with aggression. They ran their singles well and were quick to punish the loose delivery.
Vidarbha also did not start well against Alok and Basant Mohanty (2/27) and soon found their backs to the wall at 33 for four. When it became 59 for five, victory, it seemed, had slipped from their grasp. But Jangid and Akshay Karnekar (72, 85b, 6×4, 1×6) put on 154 runs for the sixth wicket and suddenly Vidarbha were in a position to win the game.
They failed to do so as Alok bowled an inspired second spell and was ably aided by some brilliant fielding. Alok dismissed Karnekar, R Gurbani and A Wakhare in quick succession to reduce Vidarbha to 220 for nine. And then Biplab completed the job to a nicety.
Brief scores: Orissa 226 for nine (Aravind Singh 62, Alok Sahoo 35, Biplab Samantray 37) beat Vidarbha 223 in 47.2 overs (Ravi Jangid 97, Alok Sahoo 5/39, Basant Mohanty 2/27) by three runs.
