Ranji trophy: Odisha corner Assam

Ranji trophy

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Assam are struggling to avoid defeat against Odisha on day II of Ranji trophy tie at the ACA Stadium, Barsapara here today.

Assam, started their second innings with 119 runs first innings arrears, were 60-4 in their second innings at stumps on Wednesday. The home team are still trailing by 59 runs.

Earlier Odisha started from their overnight total 86-4 lost first wicket in the form of opener Sarengi (77) when the total was 112. But later captain Samantray (61, 9X4) played a responsible knock and also made two crucial partnership with Shantanu Mishara (46 runs on fifth wickets) and Sujit Lenka (46 runs in sixth wickets) which helped the team to earn vital 119 runs lead after they were bowled out 240 in the first innings .

Among the Assam bowlers Ranjeet Mali performed exceptionally well today but he didn’t get too much support from the other end. The pacer bolwed nonstop 24 overs today and finished with 6-80. This was his fourth 5-wicket haul in an innings in first class cricket. Mukhtar Hussain (3-75) and Arup Das (1-34) shared the remaining four wickets.

The second innings of Assam was just like the Xerox copy of their first innings as the team struggled from the very early stage of the innings. Home team lost their first wicket when Parvez Aziz (7) was bowled by Rajesh Mohanty on team’s total 19. The other opener Rishav Das (15) followed him quickly. The situation turned worst when Kunal Saikia and Riyan Parag too returned without opening their account and that time Assam were 4-41. At stumps Sibsankar Roy and captain Amit Sinha remained not out on 20 and 7 runs respectively.

Among the bowlers of Odisha, Rajesh Mohanty (3-25) was the most successful in the second innings.

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