New Delhi: Odisha posted their second-best total of the current Ranji Trophy season on Day 3 of their Elite Group D clash against Delhi.
The home team, however, gave a strong riposte to reach 187/2 at stumps, chasing Odisha’s first-innings score of 440.
Odisha resumed on 314/4 and lost Subhranshu Senapati (110) in the day’s third over. Biplab Samantaray, unbeaten on 40 overnight, then joined forces with young wicketkeeper-batsman Asshirwad Swain to build a solid partnership.
Samantaray (110) notched up his seventh first-class century and Swain made a watchful 46, with the duo stitching a 111-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
From 430/5, Odisha lost their last 5 wickets for the addition of only 10 runs as left-arm spinner Sumit Mathur (4/97) and off-spinner Himmat Singh (3/42) ran through the lower order.
Anuj Rawat (40) and Gagan Vats (66) gave Delhi a quick 67-run start before Sunil Roul castled the former. Left-handed Vats and Yash Dhull took Delhi to 144 when Roul gave Odisha a crucial breakthrough by running out Vats.
Dhull, the 2022 U-19 World Cup-winning captain, remained unbeaten on a promising 57 at stumps.
Brief Scores
Odisha 440 in 129.2 overs (Subhranshu Senapati 111, Biplab Samantaray 110, Aashirwad Swain 46; Sumit Mathur 4/97, Himmat Singh 3/42, Pranshu Vijayran 3/74).
Delhi 187/2 in 46 overs (Gagan Vats 66, Yash Dhull 57 batting, Anuj Rawat 40).
Match to continue on Day 3, Delhi trail by 253 runs.
