Orissa begin Ranji campaign with a creditable draw

Orissa began their Ranji Trophy campaign on a satisfying note by holding stronger opponents to profitable draw in their four-day Elite Group-B, which concluded at Barabati Stadium here today. The home side collected three points on the basis of taking a 204-run first innings lead, while Baroda got only one point.

After dismissing the visitors for 148 in the first innings, Orissa raised hopes for a victory by making 352. But Baroda rode on Ambati Rayudu’s unbeaten double century to escape with a draw, scoring 414 for six in the second innings.

Pace bowler Basant Mohanty, debutants Govind Poddar, Biplab Samantaray and opening batsman Natraj Behera turned out as the outstanding performers for Orissa. Mohanty bagged five wickets in the first innings. Poddar hit a century on first-class debut, Samantaray scored a fifty on his maiden first-class appearance and Behera slammed his maiden first-class half-century.

Rourkela batsman Poddar became the fifth Orissa batsman to score a century on first class debut, the previous four being L I Parija, Prasanta Mohapatra, BBCC Mohapatra and Sukhvinder Singh.