Cuttack: Pace bowler Rajesh Mohanty turned saviour with the bat and saved Odisha the blushes on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash against Services.
Asked to bat first at DRIEMS ground here after Services skipper Rajat Paliwal won the toss, Odisha crumbled to 29/3 and then 92/7 before Rajesh salvaged the situation somewhat with useful partnerships with fellow tailenders.
Rajesh, who came in with his team on 69/6, smashed 60 off 61 balls with 8 fours and 4 sixes. He put on 53 for the eighth wicket with Sunil Roul (19), while Sumit Sharma and Tapas added 25 precious runs for the last wicket.
Aashirwad Swain showed some resistance at the top of the innings, making 28 off 108 deliveries.
Services made a solid start to the reply, reaching 85/2 at stumps on Thursday. Tapas and Roul bagged a wicket apiece.
It’s the last round of league games in Ranji, and both Odisha and Services are out of contention for knockout berths.
Brief Scores
Odisha first innings: 180 all out in 60.2 overs (Rajesh Mohanty 60, Aashirwad Swain 28; Poonam Punia 4/33, Jayant Goyat 3/33).
Services first innings: 85/2 in 23 overs (Ravi Chauhan batting 40).
Match to continue on Day 2.
