Bhubaneswar: Odisha, eyeing their first victory in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy campaign, pocketed a 114-run first-innings lead over Nagaland, the weakest team in Elite Group A.
In their second innings, however, Odisha were reduced to 16/2 at stumps on the second day. Gourav Choudhury was clean bowled for 7 while nightwatchman Sawan Pahariya, making his first-class debut, failed to open his account.
It was an eventful Monday at the KIIT Stadium here, with 15 wickets tumbling and 209 runs being scored.
Odisha resumed their first innings on 243/7 and added 32 runs before losing the remaining three wickets. Anil Parida, in only his second first-class outing, remained unbeaten on a fighting 118 (297 balls, 12×4, 1×6).
He and Biplab Samantaray (92) saved Odisha the blushes on Day 1 with a 179-run partnership for the sixth wicket. The two of them contributed 210 runs, and the other nine managed a mere 65.
The batters have to get their act together on the third day if Odisha want to get the better of ‘lightweight’ Nagaland.
BRIEF SCORES
Odisha first innings: 275 (Anil Barik 118, Biplab Samantaray 92; Imliwati Lemtur 3/26, Ronit More 3/64, Rongsen Jonathan 3/67).
Nagaland first innings: 161 (Dega Nischal 72; Govinda Poddar 3/22, Sambit Baral 3/33, Rajesh Mohanty 3/49).
Odisha second innings: 16/2.
Match to continue on Day 3.
