Ranji Trophy: Odisha On Back Foot As Ton-Up Priyam Garg Counters Shantanu Mishra’s Century

Meerut: Priyam Garg (122) and Rinku Singh (unbeaten 73) frustrated Odisha with a 161-run partnership for the fourth wicket to hand Uttar Pradesh the first-innings lead in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match at the Victoria Park Stadium.

Chasing Odisha’s total of 226, Uttar Pradesh reached 257/4 at close on the second day.

Medium-pacer Suryakant Pradhan trapped both bopeners Dhruv Jurel (44) and Samarth Singh (6) leg-before wicket, before castling skipper Karan Sharma (7) to leave UP at a shaky 89/3.

Priyam and Rinku thereafter took charge to push Odisha on the back foot.

Odisha folded up quickly on Wednesday morning for 226 after resuming at 222/5. Prolific opener Shantanu Mishra (109), who rescued Odisha on Day 1 with a century, and his overnight partner Abhishek Raut (43) both fell after adding just 2 runs each to their individual scores.

Pacers Kunal Yadav (5/47) and Shivam Mavi (2/46) hastened Odisha’s downfall on the second morning.

Shantanu, who scored an unbeaten 200 as well as three half-centuries earlier this season, will have to be on top of his game in the second innings also if Odisha hope to avoid defeat.

Brief scores: Odisha 226 (Shantanu Mishra 109, Rajesh Dhupar 62, Abhishek Raut 43; Kunal Yadav 5/47). Uttar Pradesh 257/4 (Priyam Garg 122, Rinku Singh batting 73; Suryakant Pradhan 3/49).

Match to continue.