Ranji Trophy Opener: Baroda Debutants Frustrate Odisha With 224-Run Stand

Bhubaneswar: A mammoth fifth-wicket partnership between a pair of Baroda debutants frustrated Odisha on Day 3 of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A opener at Vikash Cricket ground here on Thursday.

Shashwat Rawat and Priyanshu Moliya both hit centuries on first-class debut to help Baroda recover through their 224-run collaboration to reach 416/5 at stumps, in reply to Odisha’s impressive first-innings score of 457.

With just a day’s play left, a draw looks to be the likely result, but Baroda are within striking distance of grabbing the first-innings lead which will hand them 3 crucial points.

Starting the day on 77 for no loss, Baroda soon found themselves in trouble as veteran medium-pacer Basant Mohanty removed Jyotsnil Singh (63) and Akshay More (2) in the same over. When the other opener Pratyush Kumar was caught behind by Rajesh Dhuper off seamer Suryakant Pradhan for 44, Baroda were reduced to 124/3.

Vishnu Solanki was then castled by Subham Nayak for 36, after a 53-run stand with Shashwat.

As the 17-year-old Priyanshu joined Shashwat with Baroda on 177/4, the two debutants showed great resolve and fine temperament as they first steadied the ship and then took toll of the tiring bowlers.

Left-handed Shashwat struck 20 boundaries in his 135, before falling to Abhishek Raut’s leg-break around 15 minutes before the end of play.

Priyanshu showed maturity much beyond his teenage years and proved to be an ideal foil for Shashwat as he remained unbeaten on 113, studded with 14 fours.

Odisha captain Subhranshu Senapati tried 8 bowlers to cut short the fifth-wicket partnership, and only succeeded after the duo had caused enough damage.

Brief scores: Odisha 457. Baroda 416/5 (Shashwat Rawat 135, Priyanshu Moliya 113*, JK Singh 63; Basant Mohanty 2/31).

Match to continue.