Indore: Subhranshu Senapati’s (125, 259b, 16×4) century went in vain as Madhya Pradesh defeated Orissa by seven wickets in their Group C Ranji Trophy game at the Holkar Stadium here Tuesday. By virtue of their win, MP became the second team after Mumbai, to qualify for the quarterfinals. Orissa on the other hand finished a poor sixth out of seven teams in the group with six points.
Resuming at their overnight score of 237 for four, Orissa lost Shantanu Mishra (10) to the fourth ball of the day. Shantanu was bowled by pacer Puneet Datey (2/48) off the inside edge while trying to cut. It was a shot that the young cricketer could have avoided early in the day without gauging the pace and bounce of the pitch. But then Shantanu will only grow with experience, this being his debut season.
Shubranshu and Natraj Behera (28, 64b, 4×4) then defended dourly for a little over 25 overs to frustrate the hosts’ bowlers and raise visions of forcing a stalemate. Subhranshu who was not out on 78 overnight, reached his second successive ton of the season with a boundary off leg-spinner Mihir Hirwani (5/97).
However it was the same bowler who then triggered Orissa’s collapse by picking up three quick wickets. He first dismissed Natraj, having the batsman caught at mid-wicket trying to pull the ‘wrong un’.
With the tail only to follow after Natraj’s departure, Subhranshu changed gear. However, after scoring 125, he fell to the left-arm spin of Ankit Sharma (2/58) caught at short leg off the inside edge. Subhranshu was definitely unlucky as it was his first mistake in a chanceless innings. Had some of his more illustrious compatriots provided support, Orissa could have enforced a draw.
Tail-enders always have picking up the variations that a leg-spinner brings to the game. Deepak Behera (15) was no exception. He held forte for a while, but Hirwani got him with the ‘slider’ which caught the batsmen plumb in front. Alok Sahoo also did not last long, again dismissed by Hirwani. Suryakant Pradhan (16, 15b, 2×6) hit a couple of lusty blows, but trying for the third was bowled by Sharma and the Orissa innings folded for 350.
Needing 110 for an outright win, MP suffered some early reverses and were reduced to 45 for three. However the experienced Bundela (50 n o, 109b, 6×4) and Harpreet Singh (37 n o) saw them home with ease. Deepak picked up two wickets for Orissa.
Brief scores: Orissa 147 and 350 (Subhransu Senapati 125, Mihir Hirwani 5/97) lost to Madhya Pradesh 388 and 111 for three (Devendra Bundela 50 n o, Deepak Behera 2/31) by seven wickets.
Agencies