Cuttack: Subhranshu Senapati (43 batting, 92b, 5×4) stood firm at the crease leading Odisha’s fightback as the visitors reached 111/5 in the second innings at the end of the third day of their Elite Group C Ranji Trophy encounter against Tripura here at the DRIEMS Ground, Friday.
Chasing a target of 215 runs to win the game, Odisha are still 104 runs behind with five wickets in hand and a day’s play. Giving Subhranshu company at the other end Abhishek Raut (20 batting).
Odisha started on a disastrous note Manisankar Murasingh (4/37) wrecked havoc to send back opener Anurag Sarangi (three) and former skipper Govind Poddar (zero) with just 23 runs on board in the eighth over.
However, Subhranshu and wicketkeeper batsman Rajesh Dhuper (37) steadied the ship with a 51-run third wicket partnership. The 25-year-old pacer was once again in action dismissing skipper Biplab Samantray (three) and Suryakant Pradhan (zero) in the 29th over to put the visitors in a spot of bother.
Earlier, resuming their day at 130/5, Tripura rode on Murasingh (75, 104b, 13×4, 1×6) brilliant half century and Harmeet Singh’s (42) late surge to post 304 runs in the second innings.
After overnight batsmen Rana Dutta (29) and Pratyush Singh (32) were out, it was the Murasingh-Harmeet duo who put up 84 runs for the eighth wicket. Rajesh Mohanty (4/94) and Basant Mohanty (4/53) were the wicket takers for Odisha.
Brief scores: Tripura 122 & 304 (Manisankar Murasingh 75, Harmeet Singh 42; Basant Mohanty 4/53, Rajesh Mohanty 4/94); Odisha 212 & 111/5 (Subhranshu Senapati 41 batting; Manisankar Murasingh 4/37). Match to continue.
