Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 31: Orissa proved that they are an unpredictable side Saturday shocking Punjab by six wickets in a Group B Ranji Trophy tie at the Mohali Stadium in Punjab. Coming after two humiliating losses against Delhi and Rajasthan, this victory definitely will boost the morale of the side for the next season.
Basant Mohanty (6/44 and 10/97 in the match) was the star performer for the side which before this game was languishing at the bottom of the Group B table. He was well supported by Deepak Behera (3/44 and 7/101 in the game). And when it mattered the most, Govind Poddar (60 n o, 137b, 7×4, 1×6) came good with the bat as Orissa chased down the victory target of 126 runs. The victory lifted Orissa to the seventh spot with 14 points ahead of Saurashtra (10 points) in the eight team pool. This was also their second outright win over Punjab in 11 Ranji Trophy outings.
In this low-scoring game, Punjab resuming at 37 for four in the second innings depended a lot on India discard Yuvraj Singh. The south paw hung in grimly as wickets tumbled at the other end. Yuvi (56, 113b, 10×4) was the ninth batsman to be dismissed. Trying to flick Basant to fine leg he got a fine tickle which was gleefully accepted by wicket-keeper Haladhar Das. But before his dismissal Yuvi batted with a lot of circumspect and was largely responsible for Punjab going past the 100-run mark.
It was however, Deepak who started proceedings on a bright note for the visitors dismissing Siddharth Kaul with the third ball of the day. The batsman playing an airy drive and the resultant edge was caught in the slips by Paresh Patel. Then came the most fruitful partnership for Punjab as Gurkeerat Singh (43, 45b, 7×4) put on 61 runs for the sixth wicket with Yuvraj. He counter-attacked the Orissa bowlers and it looked like paying off. But he played a shot too many and in the process played down the wrong line to Deepak and lost his middle stump.
It was then Basant’s turn to get into the act and he picked up the wickets of Gitansh Khera and Vinay Choudhary within the space of three deliveries. A couple of overs later Manpreet Gony became his sixth victim as Punjab folded for 141.
Chasing the small target, Orissa lost Girija Rout to the ninth ball of the innings. But Paresh and Govind steadied the ship adding 36 runs for the second wicket. Govind then with Anurag Sarangi put on 38 runs for the third wicket to take Orissa close to glory. Punjab by then had lost hope.
Brief scores: Punjab 167 and 141 (Yuvraj Singh 56, Basant Mohanty 6/42) lost to Orissa 183 and 127 for 4 (Govind Poddar 60 n o) by six wickets.
