Ahmedabad: Odisha were in more than a spot of bother in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match against Saurashtra.
Chasing a mammoth first-innings total of 501, Odisha stuttered to 52 for 3 at stumps on Day 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium’s Ground ‘B’.
Shantanu Mishra, who scored a century in the drawn opening match against Goa, managed just 4 on Friday, while fellow-opener Anurag Sarangi fell for 19 and Debasish Samantray made 20.
Skipper Subhranshu Senapati was unbeaten on 8 and nightwatchman Basant Mohanty had not opened his account when stumps were drawn.
Left-arm seamers Jaydev Unadkat and Chetan Sakariya bagged a wicket apiece.
Earlier, Chirag Jani dominated the Odisha bowlers for the second straight day as Saurashtra crossed 500 after resuming at 325 for 4. Jani, who was on 125 overnight, scored most of the runs on second day with solid support from the lower order batsmen.
Jani was the ninth wicket to fall after amassing 235 off 373 balls, with 33 fours and 4 sixes.
Left-arm spinner Jayant Behera was the most successful Odisha bowler, bagging 4 for 148, while the steady and economical Basant took 2 for 82.
With two days to go, Odisha have their task cut out to avoid defeat.
Scores: Saurashtra 501 in 144.3 overs. Odisha 52/3 in 26 overs.
Match to continue.
