Cuttack: Centuries by Shivalik Sharma (124) and Mitesh Patel (100 batting) helped Baroda pile up a big lead over Odisha in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash at Barabati Stadium.
Replying to Odisha’s 271, Baroda reached 413/7 at stumps here on Friday. With a day’s play left and already 142 runs in arrears, an outright win for Odisha is practically out of the equation. The hosts can at best try to play for a draw and pick up a solitary point from their campaign opener.
Resuming on 127/2, Baroda’s third-wicket pair of Shivalik and Sukirt Pandey (71) stretched their partnership to 160 runs before debutant pacer Badal Biswal trapped Shivalik leg-before wicket to claim his maiden first-class scalp.
Badal then rattled Sukirt’s stumps and left-arm spinner Sumit Sharma castled Vishnu Solanki to leave Baroda on 244/5.
However, wicketkeeper-batter Mitesh stood tall with a delightful century and pushed Odisha on the back foot with the help of lower-order batters. No. 9 Rasikh Salam flayed the tired Odisha bowlers in the final session, striking 3 fours and 2 sixes in an unbeaten 45 off 46 balls.
Sumit (3/104) was Odisha’s most effective bowler, while Badal toiled hard, sending down 52 overs for a return of 2/131.
BRIEF SCORES
Odisha first innings: 271
Baroda first innings: 413/7 (Shivalik Sharma 124, Mitesh Patel 100*, Rasikh Salam 45*; Sumit Sharma 3/104, Badal Biswal 2/131).
Match to continue on 4th and final day.
