Ranji Trophy: Punjab take upper hand against Odisha

Riding on a fine batting display, Punjab posted a massive 560 for six declared before reducing Odisha to 110 for two in their second innings at the end of the third day`s play in their Group A Ranji Trophy match on Tuesday.

Mohali: Riding on a fine batting display, Punjab posted a massive 560 for six declared before reducing Odisha to 110 for two in their second innings at the end of the third day`s play in their Group A Ranji Trophy match here on Tuesday.

After bundling out Odisha for 205 in their first innings, Punjab managed to take a 355-run lead. The visitors now need 245 more run with eight wickets remaining to avoid innings defeat. At stumps on day three, Niranjan Behera was batting on 42 and Govind Podder was unbeaten on 52. Resuming at 306 for two, both the overnight centurions -- Taruwar Kohli and Mandeep Singh -- gave a great start to the hosts by adding 35 and 59 runs respectively to their individual score. The two put on a 282-run stand for the third wicket before Alok Mangaraj gave the much-needed breakthrough to Odisha by seeing off Mandeep for a 229-ball 175, laced with 18 fours and two sixes. Kohli made a patient 319-ball 144 with 20 hits to the fence and a six. Even the tailenders chipped in with important runs with Mayank Sidhana (48), Amitoze Singh (56 not out) and Harbhajan Singh (49 not out) taking Punjab`s score past 550-run mark. There were also partnerships worth 64 runs for the sixth wicket between Sidhana and Amitoze and then another fruitful unbeaten 77-run stand for the seventh wicket between Amitoze and Harbhajan. In their second innings also, Odisha did not have an ideal start as they lost both the openers Girjia Rout (5) and Natraj Behera (8) cheaply. But Niranjan Behera and Podder consolidated the innings and ensure that there was no further setback for the visitors. Brief Scores: Odisha: 205 & 110 for 2 (Niranjan Behera batting 42, Govind Podder batting 52). Punjab: 560 for six decl (Mandeep Singh 175, Taruwar Kohli 144, Amitoze Singh not out 56).