CUTTACK 10-Nov-2015
Odisha Cricket Association dropped captain Biplab Samantaray from the state Ranji team after their innings defeat in Group A league match against defending champions Karnataka at Mysuru today. Opening batsman Natraj Behera was appointed new captain for their next match against Haryana to be played at Lahli from November 15 to 18.
Two other changes were effected in the team with wicketkeepr Rajesh Dhuper and spinner Amit Das getting replaced by Subhrajit Sahoo and Jayanta Behera. Both Samantaray and Dhuper were dropped for below-per performance. Samantaray has been struggling with his form as an allrounder, aggregating only 92 runs in nine innings (average 11.50) and five wickets for 201 runs (average 40.20).
Under the captainchip of Samantaray, Odisha has won one match, lost one and drawn three so far. Dhuper failed as an opening batsman, managing only 95 runs in 10 innings (average 10.55). As wicketkeeper he took 12 catches and efected two stumpings in five matches.
ODISHA TEAM FOR MATCH AGAINST HARYANA: Natraj Behera (captain), Girija Prasanna Rout, Subhrajit Sahoo (wk), Govind Poddar (vice-captain), Anurag Sarangi, Pratik Das, Ranjit Singh, Haladhar Das (wk), Basanta Mohanty, Deepak Behera, Suryakanta Pradhan, Alok Sahoo, Dhiraj Singh, Alok Mangaraj, Jayanta Behera. Support staff: Bijay Kumar Das (manager), Debasis Mohanty (coach), Rashmi Ranjan Parida (batting coach), Subhakant Sahoo (physio), Manoj Biswal (trainer), Subhasis Bhuyan (observer).
