Ranji Trophy: Poddar’s 133* Gives Odisha 2-Run Lead; J&K Batters Set Up Exciting Final Day

Cuttack: Govinda Poddar’s outstanding unbeaten 133 helped Odisha snatch a slender first-innings lead of 2 runs in their Ranji Trophy encounter against Jammu & Kashmir at Barabati Stadium here on Sunday.

However, the home team can’t breathe easy as Jammu & Kashmir batted well in the second innings to reach 195/4 at stumps on the third day. First-innings centurion Abdul Samad is again turning out to be the main thorn as he remained an unbeaten on 70 off just 69 balls, smacking 4 fours and 5 sixes.

Ahead by 193 runs, Samad & Co. will look to up the tempo on the final morning and set Odisha a challenging target in pursuit of an outright win.

Poddar, who started the day on 87, lost overnight partner Aashirwad Swain who battled hard for his 32 and helped his captain add a valuable 111 runs for the sixth wicket.

Poddar reached his eighth first-class century and kept the scoreboard ticking even as wickets fell at the other end. A first-innings deficit seemed imminent at 231/8, but Poddar found an ally in tailender Rajesh Mohanty.

Poddar was ultimately left stranded on 133 (201 balls, 11×4, 4×6) as Odisha were dismissed for 272 in reply to the visiting team’s 270.

Suryakant Pradhan then struck with his second delivery in the J&K’s second innings. Shubham Khajuria (43) and Shubham Pundir (40) applied themselves to put on 89 runs for the second wicket.

Part-time offie Kartik Biswal lifted Odisha by sending back both Shubhams in the space of four overs. And though debutant left-arm spinner Sumit Sharma dismissed captain Paras Dogra cheaply, Samad counter-attacked the Odisha bowlers to keep J&K’s hopes alive.

Brief Scores

Jammu & Kashmir 1st innings: 272

Odisha 1st innings: 270 (Govinda Poddar 133*, Aashirwad Swain 32; Abid Mushtaq 4/84, 3/33).

Jammu & Kashmir 2nd innings: 195/4 (Abdul Samad batting 70, Shubham Khajuria 43, Shubham Pundir 40; Hartik Biswal 2/25).

Match situation: J & K lead by 193 runs.

Match to continue on 4th & final day.