Bhubaneswar: Skipper Subhranshu Senapati (76 n o, 64b, 8×4, 4×6) led from the front with an unbeaten half century to help Orissa script an emphatic seven-wicket win over Jharkhand in their campaign-opener of the Men’s U-23 One-Day League and knockout cricket tournament at Ranchi, Tuesday.
Chasing a 188-run target, Orissa lost opener Debashis Samantray (12) in the eighth over before his opening partner Rajesh Dhuper (35, 41b, 5×4) threw his wicket after a good start, with the scoreboard reading 58/2 in the 16th over.
However, Sandeep Patnaik (36, 60b, 3×4, 1×6) and Subhranshu played sensibly and added 55 runs for the third wicket. After Sandeep’s dismissal, the visiting skipper changed his gear and added the required 75 runs with Devendra Singh Kunwar (28 n o, 30b, 4×4, 1×6) in just 10.1 overs to help his side bag four points. Jharkhand skipper Sonu Kumar Singh (1/39) was the most economical among the bowlers.
Earlier, the hosts were bowled out for 187 in 40.3 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat first. The decision however backfired when the hosts lost their opener Wilfred Beng on the very first ball of their innings off a Debabrata Pradhan (1/19) delivery.
Thereafter the hosts kept on losing wickets at regular intervals to be reduced to 122 for seven and were eventually bowled out for 187. Tarakanta Samal (3/38) and Jamala B Mohapatra (2/51) bowled well for the visitors.
The only notable partnership came between Supriyo Chakraborty (29, 39b, 2×4, 1×6) and Sonu (31, 38b, 3×4, 1×6) for the eighth wicket as the duo added 61 runs to help their side cross 180-run mark. Shresht Sagar (33, 59b, 5×4) also batted well for the hosts.
Brief scores
Jharkhand 187 in 40.3 overs (Shresht Sagar 33, Sonu Kumar Singh 31; Tarakanta Samal 3/38) lost to Orissa 189/3 (Subhranshu Senapati 76 n o) by seven wickets.
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