BHUBANESWAR 04-Oct-2015
A lionhearted unbeaten century by vice-captain Govind Poddar and belligerent 92 by Anurag Sarangi helped Odisha draw opening Group A Ranji match against Vidarbha at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur today. However, host Vidarbha secured three points by taking a first-innings lead of 193, while Odisha, who were forced to follow on, settled with one point.
Electing to bat on a dry wicket, Vidarbha rode on a century on debut by opening batsman Aditya Shanware and a maiden first-class ton by India speedster Umesh Yadav to compile a formidable total of 467. In reply, Odisha folded of for 274 despite a valiant unbeaten 148 by vice-captain Govind Poddar.
When Odisha were in deep trouble, losing eight wickets for 177, Poddar rescued the team, constructing two sizeable partnerships. He first put on 80 runs for the third wicket with Anurag Sarangi and added another 97 for the ninth wicket with Basant Mohanty. Poddar hit 20 boundaries and one six in his 254-ball unbeaten knock, which was his highest score and second hundred in first-class cricket.
