Bhubaneswar: Odisha batters blew hot and cold on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash against Uttar Pradesh at Kanpur to be bowled out for 243.
The home team reached 17 without loss at stumps on Saturday at the Green Park Stadium.
Choosing to bat first after skipper Subhranshu Senapati won the toss, Odisha slumped to 36/3 in the first session, with Shivam Mavi sending back openers Swastik Samal and Aashirwad Swain for 4 runs apiece. Subhranshu survived 21 balls before falling for 3.
Sandeep Pattanaik (53) and Govinda Poddar (64) started ‘operation recovery’ and revived Odisha with a 92-run partnership.
But a three-wicket burst by left-arm spinner Shivam Sharma put UP back on top as Odisha slipped to 131/6.
Then came another fighting partnership of 94 runs between debutant Sambit Baral and Rajesh Mohanty. Sambit, playing his maiden first-class match, stroked his way to a half-century. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 59, studded with 7 fours and 3 sixes, even as Odisha collapsed a third time – from 225/6 to 243 all out – after Rajesh fell for an enterprising 48 (5×4, 3×6).
BRIEF SCORES
Odisha first innings: 243 in 77.1 overs (Govinda Poddar 64, Sambit Baral 59*, Sandeep Pattanaik 53; Shivam Sharma 3/65).
Uttar Pradesh first innings: 17/0.
Match to continue on Day 2.
