Cuttack: In the end, Odisha fell agonisingly short in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match against Jammu & Kashmir.
Chasing a target of 149, Jammu & Kashmir survived some nervous moments before scraping through by 2 wickets in a low-scoring thriller.
Medium-pacers Rajesh Mohanty (5/61) and Sunil Roul raised expectations on Monday morning as they reduced J & K from 72/4 to 136/8. With 13 runs still to be scored, the home team needed 2 more wickets.
But they were frustrated by Abdul Samad, who made his presence felt in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Wickets fell regularly after his precious 66-run partnership with Auqib Nabi (28) was broken, but the 22-year-old Samad stood firm.
Not only did Samad defend well on a seamer-friendly pitch, he also played shots whenever a loose ball was offered. Samad’s unbeaten 66 off 83 balls, studded with 7 fours and 2 sixes, ultimately made the difference.
It was Odisha’s second defeat in three matches, pinning them to seventh place in the eight-team group with 3 points. J&K, on the other hand, are unbeaten in three games and are in fourth place with 8 point.
Brief scores: Odisha 130 & 198. Jammu & Kashmir 180 & 149/8 (Abdul Samad 66 not out; Rajesh Mohanty 5/61, Sunil Roul 3/39).
Result: J & K beat Odisha by 2 wickets.
Points position: Odisha 3 points from 3 games (7th); J&K 8 points from 3 (4th).
Odisha’s next match: Vs Himachal Pradesh (Cuttack, from Jan 26).
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