Ranji Trophy: Swastik Samal’s Maiden Ton Hands Odisha Advantage Vs Maharashtra

Cuttack: A maiden century by Swastik Samal helped Odisha overhaul Maharashtra’s first-innings total in their Ranji Trophy clash at the Barabati Stadium here.

In their second innings, Maharashtra reached 78/3 at stumps on the second day, to be 40 runs ahead of Odisha.

Samal put behind his double failure (0 and 1) in the previous match against Mumbai to post his first 50-plus score and also his first century for Odisha in any competition.

The 24-year-old opener held the innings together after Odisha suffered a familiar batting collapse following his 83-run second-wicket partnership with Sandeep Pattanaik (41).

Samal almost carried his bat, before being the ninth man to be dismissed after making 118 off 220 balls, with 9 fours and 2 sixes. Samal and Pattanaik accounted for 80% of Odisha’s total as six batters fell for single-digit scores.

On Wednesday, Maharashtra’s first innings saw an almost similar path as they lost seven wickets for 12 runs to be bowled out for 162.

Spinners Sumit Sharma and Govinda Poddar shared seven wickets.

Brief Scores

Maharashtra 1st innings: 162 (Ramakrishna Ghosh 80; Sumit Sharma 4/39, Govinda Poddar 3/10, Tarani Sa 2/44).

Odisha 1st innings: 200 (Swastik Samal 118, Sandeep Pattanaik 41; Rajneesh Gurbani 3/38, R Ghosh 3/50).

Maharashtra 2nd innings: 78/3 (Sachin Dhas 38; Tarani Sa 2/27).

Match situation: Maharashtra lead by 40 runs.

Match to continue on Day 3.