Post News Network
Cuttack, Oct 7: Orissa and Maharashtra will lock-horns in a Group A Ranji match at the Barabati Stadium here Thursday with the hosts trying to overcome their batting blues the last time around. This will be the seventh encounter between the two sides. Orissa, however, have a better record against the visitors here. Both times the hosts have managed to take the first innings lead against Maharashtra.
Both the sides have drawn their first matches of the season. However, Maharashtra bagged three points by virtue of their first innings lead against Haryana while Orissa had to be satisfied with a single point after conceding the first innings lead to Vidarbha.
Maharashtra no doubt, start favourites as their two top batsmen, AR Bawane and CG Khurana are in good form after scoring centuries against Haryana.
On the other hand Orissa batsmen are struggling with their form. Barring Govind Poddar and Anurag Sarangi, no one has shown enough promise with the bat. The likes of Natraj Behera, Girija Rout and Biplab Samantray have to come into their own, if Orissa are to challenge Maharashtra aspirations.
There may be a couple of changes to the Orissa side for this game with P Roshan Rao coming in place of Rajesh Dhupar and Alok Mangaraj replacing Suryakant Pradhan. But everything will be decided on the morning of the game after coach Debashis Mohanty has a look at the pitch.
“Orissa are a strong team with a good record at home. We have to be at our best to beat them,” stated Maharashtra skipper skipper R Motwani.
Meanwhile Debashis stated that his side was ready to utilise home advantage. “We are playing at home, so that’s an advantage,” he said. “It’s raining and the final XI will be selected on the basis of the conditions of the pitch and ground on the match day,” he concluded.
