Ranji Trophy: Odisha’s Anurag & Shantanu Start Well After Lowly Nagaland Post 433

Cuttack: Odisha started strongly in pursuit of Nagaland’s 433, reaching 111 without loss at stumps on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A fixture at DRIEMS ground here on Wednesday.

The in-form Anurag Sarangi stroked his way to an unbeaten 75 off 112 balls, with the help of 15 boundaries. It was Anurag’s fourth half-century in the last three matches.

Shantanu Mishra proved to be an able foil for his fellow-opener, grinding his way to a patient unbeaten 31 off 75 balls.

On Tuesday, Odisha asked lowly Nagaland to bat first. But the home team’s bowlers allowed Nagaland to amass 400-plus for the first time this season. It was quite an achievement for a team which has lost all its three matches by big margins so far.

Chetan Bist’s 129 was backed up by half-centuries from Sedezhalie Rupero (71 not out), Shrikant Munde (66) and Hokaito Zhimoni (59).

Brief scores: Nagaland 433 (Chetan Bist 129, S Rupero 71*, Shrikant Munde 66, H Zhimoni 59; Suryakant Pradhan 3/89, Tarani Sa 3/86). Odisha 111/0 (Anurag Sarangi 75 batting, Shantanu Mishra 31 batting).

Match to continue.