Ahmedabad: Odisha face an uphill task on the final day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match against Goa.
Chasing 387, Odisha reached 22 without loss at stumps on Day 3. Openers Anurag Sarangi (batting10) and Shantanu Mishra (batting 6) safely negotiated 10 overs without any damage.
Odisha need 365 more runs on Sunday to win their campaign opener.
Goa, who conceded an 8-run first-innings lead, produced a stellar show in the second innings on Saturday. Skipper Snehal Kauthankar led from the front with a fine unbeaten 165, which came off just 175 balls and included 18 fours and 3 sixes.
Suyash Prabhudesai (73) and wicketkeeper Eknath Kerkar (50 not out) lent their skipper good support as Goa amassed a huge lead.
Odisha bowlers, who had done splendidly on the opening day, toiled hard almost the entire day and managed to pick up only three wickets while conceding over 300 runs.
Leg-spinner Abhishek Raut was Odisha’s most successful bowler with 3 wickets but also conceded the most runs (106).
Veteran Basant Mohanty, playing his 100th first-class match, got one wicket while debutant Ashish Rai got the other.
Scores: Goa 181 & 394/5 declared. Odisha 189 & 22/0.
Match to continue.
