Cuttack: Odisha are in big trouble in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match against Uttarakhand.
Chasing a massive victory target of 387, Odisha stuttered to 17/2 at stumps on the third day at the DRIEMS ground here.
Desperate for an outright win to keep alive outside chances of knockout qualification, Odisha need 360 runs on the final day. Both openers Shantanu Mishra and Aashirwad Swain were trapped leg-before wicket by Deepak Dhapola.
On an eventful day’s cricket, Odisha resumed their first innings on 123/6 and were bowled out for 169. Only wicketkeeper Aashirwad Swain, who opened the batting, got a half-century.
Uttarakhand, despite losing first-innings centurion Vaibhav Bhatt to the first ball delivered by Rajesh Mohanty, pushed for quick runs. Skipper Jiwanjot Singh followed up his 90 with another handy knock of 74.
Mohanty was the best bowler with figures of 3/17 in 11 overs. Biplab Samantaray (3/31) was also impressive as Uttarakhand declared their second innings at 203/8.
Brief Scores
Uttarakhand 343 & 203/8 declared (Jiwanjot Singh 74, Kunal Chandela 38; Rajesh Mohanty 3/17, Biplab Samantaray 3/31, Harshit Rathod 2/50).
Odisha 169 (Aashirwad Swain 54, Govinda Poddar 32; Mayank Mishra 3/21, Deepak Dhapola 3/58) & 17/2 (D Dhapola 2/8).
Match to continue on Day 4, Odisha need 360 runs.
