Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Nov 1: Nataraj Behera (62, 92b, 12×4) and Anurag Sarangi (76, 182b, 11×4) struck brilliant half centuries as Orissa gave a strong first innings reply to Delhi by reaching 195 for four on day three of the Ranji Trophy Group A game at the KIIT Cricket Stadium here Sunday.
Riding on fine batting by Anurag and Natraj, the hosts inched closer to Delhi’s first innings total of 311. Delhi, resuming the day at 245 for seven, went on to add 66 runs to their total with the help of tail-ender Pulkit Narang’s (41 n o, 85b, 5×4) responsible innings.
The home team was in a spot of bother at 40 for two before Natraj and Anurag shared a 77 run stand to steady the ship. Natraj departed after a 92-ball stay but Anurag made sure he held fort till stumps. Anurag was patient in his 182-ball vigil. Natraj scored at a brisk pace getting the boundaries at ease.
Left arm pacer Pradeep Sangwan (2/30) was the pick of the Delhi bowlers. Orissa have a tendency to choke at the last moment. They have to bat out of their skin Monday if they want to ensure the crucial first innings lead.
Brief Scores: 311 (Pukit Narang 41 n o; Deepak Behera 3/46, Basant Mohanty 3/80); Orissa 195/4 (Natraj Behera 62, Anurag Sarangi 76 batting; Pradeep Sangwan 2/30). Match to continue
Other Group A Matches
(At Nagpur): Vidarbha 332 & 149 (AV Ubarhande 47; AA Darekar 5/78); Maharashtra 237 & 3/1. Match to continue
(At Jaipur): Karnataka 281 & 318/5dcl (R Uthappa 160; R Bhatia 2/44); Rajasthan 242 & 42/3. Match to continue
(At Lahli): Bengal 329 & 146/7 (SD Chatterjee 49; AH Hooda 4/39); Haryana 225 (RP Sharma 78; Mukesh Kumar 4/53). Match to continue