Agencies
Nagpur, Oct 3: Govind Poddar’s (148 n o, 254b, 20×4, 1×6) brilliant unbeaten knock was of no use as Orissa were forced to follow on by Vidarbha in their Ranji Trophy Group A game here Saturday. Chasing Vidarbha’s first innings score of 467, the visitors were bowled out for 274 after suffering a middle-order collapse. Following on, at stumps on the third day, Orissa were 15 without loss, still needing another 178 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
Govind’s batting was an education to his teammates as wickets fell at the other end at regular intervals. Playing his 34th first class game, Govind got his second Ranji Trophy century, mixing caution with aggression. Had he got support from the other end, Orissa wouldn’t have been in such a precarious situation. Not only have the visitors surrendered the first innings lead to the hosts, they will now have to bat very well to save an innings defeat.
The damage was done by part-time off-spinner Akshay Wakhare (4/84) and medium pacer RD Thakur (3/34). Debutant Wakhare who got a century opening the innings, will certainly remember this game for long because of his stellar show with bat and ball.
Resuming at 79 for two, Govind and Anurag Sarangi (35, 82b, 6×4) took the score to 125 before the latter fell. Then Prateek Das was batting well with Govind and at 158 for three, Orissa looked set to challenge the Vidarbha score. But then disaster struck as Orissa lost five wickets for only 19 runs to be reduced to 177 for eight. Biplab Samantray, Rajesh Dhupar and Deepak Behera failed to open their accounts.
Govind with Basant Mohanty (14, 69b, 2×4) added 97 runs for the ninth wicket to take Orissa’s score to a semblance of respectability. But overall it was a disappointing show by the Orissa batters.
Brief scores
Vidarbha 467; Orissa 274 (Govinda Podder 148 n o, Akshay Wakhare 4/84, RD Thakur 3/34) and 15 for no loss (f/o). Match to continue.
Other Group A matches
(At Guwahati): Karnataka 187 and 394/8 decl (R Samarth 131, Mayank Agarwal 47); Assam 194 and 30/1. Match to continue.
(At Jaipur): Delhi 138 and 437/9 decl (Sumit Narwal 106, Gautam Gambhir 93; Nathu Singh 7/87); Rajasthan 240 and 20/1. Match to continue.
(At Pune): Haryana 335 (Himanshu Rana 157, Nikit Dhumal 3/55); Maharashtra 256/3(Swapnil Gugale 91, Harshad Khadiwale 91). Match to continue.
