Sports: Odisha tightened their grip on the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Elite Group A match against Meghalaya, ending Day 2 with an imposing score of 523/7, securing a commanding lead of 325 runs.
Resuming the day at 70/0 in reply to Meghalaya’s 198 all out, Odisha openers Swastik Samal (80 off 107) and Shantanu Mishra (37 off 88) added 50 more runs before Meghalaya’s pacers Akash Kumar Choudhary (2/112) and Md Nafees Siddique (3/78) struck in quick succession, reducing Odisha to 120/2.
Despite the early breakthroughs, Odisha’s middle order took control. Govinda Poddar anchored the innings with a superb 121 off 157 balls, supported by Sandeep Pattnaik’s brisk 78 off 100.
Their 140-run partnership for the third wicket firmly established Odisha’s dominance before Pattnaik was bowled by Choudhary.
Poddar’s dismissal, attempting a big hit off left-arm spinner Wanlambok Nongkhlaw (1/61), briefly slowed Odisha, but Rajesh Dhuper’s explosive unbeaten 80 off 81 balls, featuring four sixes, propelled the team past the 500-run mark. Kartik Biswal also contributed with a valuable 68 off 85 balls, falling to Anirudh B (1/42).
Nafees Siddique’s late strikes in consecutive balls gave Meghalaya a glimmer of hope, but Odisha steadied the innings to finish strongly.
Meghalaya’s bowlers struggled to maintain pressure, delivering just four maidens in 108 overs as Odisha scored at a brisk 4.84 runs per over.
Meghalaya faces a daunting task on Day 3, needing a significant effort to stay competitive in the match.
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