Odisha lose to Gujarat in Ranji Trophy

After holding Karnataka to a draw in the first match of this season, Odisha went down to Gujarat in a crucial Ranji Trophy tie. Gujarat won the match by 8 wickets. Abhilash Mallick’s fighting knock of 126 failed to lift Odisha, as the top order failed miserably in the second innings.

In the first innings, Odisha were 0/2 when Rush Kalaria removed Anurag Sarangi and Niranjan Behera. In the second innings, it was more than a disaster for Odisha, as they lost three wickets Tukuna Sahoo, Niranjan Behera nd Anurag Sarangi without any runs on board. After Biplab Samantray’s dismissal, they slumped to 2/4 at one stage and then were 18.5 after Natraj Behera’s departure.

Thanks to Abhilash (126) and Govind Podder (57), Odisha finally managed to post 248 in the second innings. Rush Kalaria took six wickets each in both innings to take his match tally to 12. The target was 102 and Gujarat achieved it comfortably by losing two wickets.

Scores: Odisha 225 (Natraj Behera 75) & 248 (Abhilash Mallick 126, Govind Podder 57). Gujarat 372 (Bhargav Merai 134, Parthiv Patel 44, Akshar Patel 50) & 105/2 (Bhargav Merai 43*, Rujul Bhatt 33*).