Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 2: Sixteen wickets fell on day two as hosts Rajasthan took control Wednesday of their Ranji Trophy Group A encounter against Orissa at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. In spite of conceding a 100-run lead to Orissa in the first innings, Rajasthan fought back dismissing the visitors for 129 in the second knock. Chasing an outright victory target of 250, Rajasthan were 79 for two at stumps with Puneet Yadav (56 batting, 50b, 10×4) leading the charge.
Rajasthan, who had resumed at their overnight score of 28 for six, could add another 23 runs for their last four wickets and were bowled out for 51, thus conceding a lead of 100 runs to the visitors. The last four wickets were shared by Alok Sahoo who finished with career-best figures of six for 33 while Basant Mohanty (4/17) supported him well. Orissa did not use a third bowler in Rajasthan’s first innings.
But what followed was nightmare for the visitors. They were reduced to 15 for four as Pankaj Singh (4/43) and Aniket Choudhary (4/31) wreaked havoc. Except for Ranjit Singh (30, 67b, 4×4) and Alok (31, 39b, 2×6) none of the others could tackle the Rajasthan bowlers. That Orissa could set up a fighting target was because Rajasthan conceded 20 extras.
An outright defeat will keep Orissa confined to 12 points in the nine-team table. At this moment, they appear safe, unless Haryana conjure up an improbable outright victory over Vidarbha in the game at Nagpur. Haryana are currently on six points and with Vidarbha notching up a 500-plus score, it is unlikely that the game will shift in favour of Haryana.
Brief scores: Orissa 151 and 129 (Alok Sahoo 31, Pankaj Singh 4/43, Aniket Choudhary 4/31); Rajasthan 51 (Alok Sahoo 6/33) and 79 for two. Match to continue.
