Bhubaneswar: It was as if the Odisha batters, young opener Swastik Samal and skipper Subhranshu Senapati to be precise, were on a mission, determined to brush off the disappointing run Odisha have had in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy campaign thus far.
Three defeats in four matches and just one point to show for, Odisha are eyeing a pride-salvaging victory against Nagaland, the minnows of eight-team Elite Group A.
Armed with a 114-run first-innings lead, Odisha declared their second innings at 350/5 at the KIIT Stadium on Day 3. Set an improbable victory target of 465, Nagaland reached 41/1 at stumps on Day 3. Badal Biswal having provided the opening breakthrough, the Odisha bowlers will be on the hunt for nine more wickets on the fourth and final day.
Odisha were at an uncomfortable 16/2 when play got underway on Tuesday. Swastik and Subhranshu ensured that the home team would not land in an embarrassing position, as they got down to building the lead.
The duo played sensibly in the morning before blossoming with a range of delightful strokes. Swastik brought up his second first-class century and went on to compile 169 (195 balls, 11×4, 6×6), his career-best score.
The more experienced Subhranshu scored 137 (168 balls, 11×4, 4×6), his ninth hundred in first-class cricket.
The duo added 261 runs for the third wicket, scoring at five runs an over, before the declaration came.
BRIEF SCORES
Odisha first innings: 275
Nagaland first innings: 161
Odisha second innings: 350/5 declared (Swastik Samal 169, Subhranshu Senapati 137; Vino Zhimomi 2/79).
Nagaland second innings: 41/1 (Badal Biswal 1/15).
Match to conclude on Wednesday.
