Cuttack: Odisha batters failed the spin test miserably on the final day to lose their Ranji Trophy season opener by 7 wickets against Baroda.
With the track at Barabati Stadium assisting the slower bowlers, off-spinner Mahesh Pithiya (6/63) and left-arm tweaker Bhargav Bhatt (3/57) ran through the Odisha lineup to dismiss the hosts for 174 in under 60 overs.
Baroda faced some jitters, as debutant Badal Biswal (2/20) and Govinda Poddar (1/16) reduced the visitors to 12/3. But the 33-run target was too paltry to offer Odisha any realistic chance of pulling off a miracle.
Skipper Subhranshu Senapati stood stoically in the middle to remain unbeaten on 59, but lacked sufficient support from the other end to hold off the Baroda attack. Senapati batted well in the first innings, too, compiling 79.
Gourav Choudhary, another debutant, promised a lot before falling leg-before wicket for 28 to Pithiya. The only other resistance came from Rajesh Mohanty (25), who added 41 runs for the fifth wicket with Senapati.
Baroda deserve credit for showing positive intent as they declared their first innings on the overnight score of 413/7, enjoying a lead of 142. Their efforts to push for an outright win bore fruit as Odisha surrendered without much fight.
BRIEF SCORES
Odisha first innings: 271
Baroda first innings: 413/7 declared
Odisha second innings: 174 in 59.3 overs (Subhranshu Senapati 59 not out; Mahesh Pithiya 6/63, Bhargav Bhatt 3/57).
Baroda second innings: 36/3 (Shivalik Sharma 32 not out; Badal Biswal 2/20).
Result: Baroda won by 7 wickets.
Player of the Match: Shivalik Sharma (Baroda).
Points: Odisha 0, Baroda 6.
Next match: Odisha vs Uttar Pradesh at Kanpur, from Oct 25.
