Bhubaneswar: Despite some defiance from Meghalaya’s lower middle order, Odisha are well placed to win their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash at Shillong’s Polo Ground.
Trailing by 350 runs on the first innings, Meghalaya ended Day 3 on 221/6 in their second innings. They need 129 more runs to deny Odisha an innings victory.
Odisha added 25 quick runs on Saturday morning and declared at 548/7 soon after Rajesh Dhuper (102 not out off 95 balls, 9×4, 4×6) completed his second first-class century. Medium-pacer Rajesh Mohanty (3/49) then raised visions of a quick demolition job by reducing Meghalaya to 31/3 in the 11th over.
However, a 51-run partnership for the fourth wicket, followed by an 89-run collaboration by the sixth-wicket pair Sumit Kumar and Jaskirat Sachdeva ensured that Meghalaya will live to fight another day.
Sumit was caught behind by Aashirwad Swain off Sunil Roul for 51, while Jaskirat was unbeaten on 53 at stumps.
Roul finished the day with 3/48 to share the bowling honours with Mohanty.
Brief Scores
Meghalaya 1st innings: 198
Odisha 1st innings: 548/7 declared (Rajesh Dhuper 102*).
Meghalaya 2nd innings: 221/6 (Sumit Kumar 51, Jaskirat Sachdeva batting 51; Sunil Roul 3/48, Rajesh Mohanty 3/49).
Match to continue on 4th and final day.
