Kanpur: Almost half of the third day’s play was ruled out by rain and bad light, yet Odisha find themselves in a tight corner in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash against Uttar Pradesh.
Replying to Odisha’s modest first-innings total of 243, the home team reached 380/6 at stumps on Monday here at the Green Park Stadium.
Centuries by skipper Karan Sharma (121) and Aaradhya Yadav (101 retired hurt), and their brilliant 225-run partnership for the fourth wicket helped Uttar Pradesh build a 137-run lead.
Having come together with their team in a spot of bother at 116/3 after Odisha’s debutant medium-pacer Sambit Baral had bagged three wickets on Day 2, Karan and Aaradhya carried UP from the overnight score of 262/3 to 341 before the former was stumped by Aashirwad Swain off Badal Biswal.
Priyam Garg was stumped off Sumit Sharma, Prashant Veer was run out and Aaradhya had to retire hurt.
Despite the triple success, Odisha will have a fight on their hands to achieve a draw and earn a point. Subhranshu Senapati’s team will be hoping to avoid the kind of spectacular collapse they suffered in the first game against Baroda, which they unexpectedly lost on the final day at Barabati Stadium.
BRIEF SCORES
Odisha first innings: 243
Uttar Pradesh first innings: 380/6 (Karan Sharma 121, Aaradhya Yadav 101 retd hurt; Sambit Baral 3/52).
Match to continue on 4th & final day.