Ranji Trophy: Basant Mohanty's six-wkt haul gives Odisha control over Jharkhand
Saurabh Tiwary and Pappu Singh were the only Jharkhand batsmen to put up some resistance against Odisha.
Pacer Basant Mohanty wrecked havoc with a six-wicket haul to put Odisha in command on the third and penultimate day of their Group A Ranji Trophy match against Jharkhand in Cuttack on Saturday.
Mohanty grabbed all the six Jharkhand wickets that fell on Saturday as the visiting side ended the day at 149 for six at the DRIEMS Ground at Tangi here.
Saurabh Tiwary (57, in pic) and Pappu Singh (56 batting) were the only two Jharkhand batsmen who put up some resistance.
Jharkhand now lead by 63 runs with four second innings wickets in hand.
The first session on Sunday may determine the outcome of the match. If Odisha are able to bundle out Jharkhand quickly, they may be able to force a win. Otherwise, the match may end in a draw as with a day remaining and just 63 runs ahead, Jharkhand are unlikely to force a win.
After conceding a 86-run first innings lead to Odisha, the visiting side made a disastrous start to their second essay with their top three batsmen perishing at the team score of 15.
Jharkhand continued their awful batting by being reduced to 37 for five before Tiwary and Singh shared 99 runs for the sixth wicket to save the visiting side from disaster.
Earlier, Odisha were all out for 307 in 118.4 overs after resuming the day at 245 for five.
Biplab Samantray could add just three runs to his overnight 64 as Odisha score 62 more runs today in 19.4 overs.
Brief Scores:
Jharkhand 221 & 149 for 6 in 59 overs (Saurabh Tiwary 57, Pappu Singh 56; Basant Mohanty 6/63).
Odisha: 307 all out in 118.4 overs (Biplab Samantray 67; Ajay Yadav 5/61).