Indore: Skipper Govind Poddar’s (7/102) maiden five-wicket haul was the lone bright spot for Orissa on the second day of their Ranji Trophy encounter here Sunday. In reply to Orissa’s first innings score of 147, the hosts scored 388 in their first essay at the Holkar Stadium here, thereby achieving a first innings lead of 241 runs.
The lead also ensured them a place in the knockouts as MP are now sure to top Group C, unless of course they are struck by cricket’s ‘glorious uncertainties’ and lose the game outright. MP currently have 18 points from the six games they have played so far.
MP resuming at their overnight score of 96 for one added 292 more to their tally. They could have added a few more, had it not been for Govind who chipped with wickets at regular intervals.
The overnight pair of Rajesh Patidar (123,199b, 12×4) and skipper Devendra Bundela (62, 105b, 7×4, 1×6) continued on the same vein on day two and put on 114 runs for the second wicket, before Govind broke the stand dismissing the former. MP then lost wickets at regular intervals and were at one stage reduced to 247 for seven.
However, an eighth wicket partnership between Puneet Datey (56, 110b, 7×4, 2×6) and Mihir Hirwani (49, 93b, 6×4) took the game completely away from Orissa. Ishwar Pandey (28, 15b, 1×4, 3×6) also used the long handle effectively to add crucial runs to the MP total.
Govind stated that he was happy with his bowling display. “I used all my experience and it paid off. I wish, I had support from the other end also,” he said after the game.
Brief scores: Orissa 147 and 18/0; Madhya Pradesh 388 (Rajat Patidar 123, Devendra Bundela 62, Puneet Datey 56; Govind Poddar 7/102, Deepak Behera 2/42). Match to continue.
Other Group C matches
(At Mumbai): Tripura 195; Mumbai 421/8 (Jay Bista 123, Siddhesh Lad 123, Aditya Tare 67; Manisankar Murasingh 5/71).
(At Vadodara): Baroda 309 (Swapnil Singh 144; Krishnamoorthy Vignesh 3/52); Tamil Nadu 226/5 (Baba Aparajith 59 batting, Baba Indrajith 58; Karthik Kakade 2/63).
All matches to continue Monday.
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