Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 20: Hosts Odisha gained a vital 1st innings lead of 37 runs against visitors Jammu and Kashmir on Day-2 of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C match at DRIEMS Ground, Cuttack in Odisha.
However, the match hangs in balance as Odisha were struggling at 136/7 in their second essay at the draw of stumps today, thus leading by 173 runs, with three wickets in hand.
Earlier, resuming from an overnight score of 38/3, Jammu and Kashmir were bundled out for a paltry total of 124 runs in 45 overs. Shubham Khajuria top scored with 40 runs off 103 balls, studded with 3 fours and 2 sixes, while Auqib Nabi contributed unbeaten 23 runs and Abdul Samad chipped in with 20 runs. From Odisha, veteran of many battles, Basant Mohanty captured 4 important wickets conceding 42 runs in his 17 overs, while Debabrata Pradhan took 3 wickets by giving away just 12 runs in his 5 overs. Suryakant Pradhan and Rajesh Mohanty also claimed 2 and one wicket respectively.
Earlier, on Day-1 yesterday, put into bat, Odisha scored 161 runs in their first innings. Skipper Subhransu Senapati top scored with 42 runs off 76 balls, studded with 8 boundaries, while Anurag Sarangi contributed 33 runs off 66 balls, with 4 fours and one six. From J&K, Auqib Nabi was the wrecker-in-chief, who scalped 5 important wickets, while skipper Parvez Rasool and speedster Umar Nazir claimed 2 wickets each.
With 2 days play left in the match, Odisha has gained a total lead of 173 runs, having 3 wickets in their kitty. Shantanu Mishra and Anurag Sarangi contributed 26 runs each, while Debashish Samantray scored sedate 23 runs. Rajesh Dhuper and Rajesh Mohanty were at the crease with 6 and 4 runs respectively.
From J&K, Auqib Nabi and Umar Nazir took 2 wickets each, while Parvez Rasool, Abid Mushtaq and Mohammad Mudhasir shared 1 wicket each.
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