Bhubaneswar: The Odisha senior team has struggled to make an impact in domestic BCCI competitions in recent years.
The ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over format) promises to turn the tide.
After a heartbreaking loss in their opening game against Saurashtra, despite putting up 345 on the board thanks to Swastik Samal’s 212, Odisha have won three games on the trot to sit on top of Elite Group D.
Having got the better of Services and star-studded Andhra Pradesh, Odisha toppled the Rishabh Pant-led Delhi on Wednesday.
A captain’s knock of 72 (74 balls, 3×4, 4×6) by Biplab Samantray and handy contributions from Govinda Poddar (35), Swastik Samal (28), Om Munde (26) and tailender Debabrata Pradhan (21* off 9 balls), helped Odisha post 272/8.
Odisha’s quick bowlers then got into the act, dismissing Delhi for 193 to ensure a comprehensive 79-run victory. Pradhan bagged and Samit Boral bagged 3 wickets each, and Rajesh Mohanty took 2.
Pant managed 24 off 28 balls before Pradhan had him caught by Munde, while Harsh Tyagi top-scored with 43.
Odisha, Delhi, Railways and Haryana all have 12 points, but Odisha currently lead the standings with best net run-rate of 1.250.
BRIEF SCORES
Odisha 272/8 in 50 overs (Biplab Samantray 72, Swastik Samal 28; Hrithik Shokeen 4/27).
Delhi 193 all out in 42.3 overs (Harsh Tyagi 43, H Shokeen 32; Debabrata Pradhan 3/28, Samit Boral 3/34, Rajesh Mohanty 2/42).
Result: Odisha bt Delhi by 79 runs.
Player of the Match: Biplab Samantray
Points: Odisha 4, Delhi 0.
Group D standings: Odisha 1st (12 points from 4 games, NRR 1.250), Delhi 4th (12 points from 4 games, NRR 0.042)
Next match: Odisha vs Haryana (Jan 3, Alur).
