Ranji Trophy: Govind Podder's unbeaten 78 keeps Odisha in hunt against Maharashtra

Cuttack: Govind Podder made an unbeaten 78 to take Odisha to 167 for four in reply to Maharashtra's 281 as the Ranji Trophy Group A fixture was evenly poised after the second day's proceedings at the Barbati Stadium, here on Friday.

Podder scored his runs off 167 balls with the help of 12 boundaries. Giving him company at stumps was Pratik Das on 32.

Medium-pacer Shrikant Mundhe (3/40) picked up three crucial wickets for Maharashtra.

With two more days to go, Odisha still trail Maharashtra by 114 runs with six wickets in hand.

Earlier resuming at the overnight score of 231 for five, Maharashtra's last five batsmen could add just 50 runs before being bundled out for 281 in 101.2 overs.

Suryakant Pradhan (4/90) was the pick of the bowlers for Odisha, while Biplab Samantray (3/31) and Basant Mohanty (2/41) also chipped in with useful wickets.

Brief Scores:

Maharashtra 1st innings: 281 all out in 101.2 overs (Harshad Khadiwale 74, Ankit Bawne 60; Suryakant Pradhan 4/90).

Odisha 1st innings: 167 for four in 67 overs (Govind Podder 78 not out; Shrikant Mundhe 3/40).