Odisha suffer humiliating defeat despite good performance

After putting up modest to impressive performance for the first three days, Odisha made a meek surrender on the final day to suffer a 136-run humiliating defeat at the hands of Haryana in their four-day Zone-A match of the Dr K Thimmappiah Memorial All-India Cricket Tournament at Alur in Bangalore today.

The defeat came as a rude shock as Odisha, who had taken a one-run first-innings lead by mustering an imposing total of 484, folded up for a paltry 113 in the second innings, while chasing 250 for victory.

Young opening batsman Abhimanyu Khod starred in Haryana`s dramatic victory, hitting a century in both the innings. He followed his majestic 194 in the first innings with an unbeaten 104 in the second. Haryana, who compiled a strong total of 484 in the first innings, rode on southpaw Khod`s 120-ball knock and his 188-run alliance for the second wicket with Sunny Singh to declare their second innings at 250 for seven.

Sunny Singh also notched up a century before being run out by Govind Poddar. Experienced swing bowler Basant Mohanty was the most successful Odisha bowler, picking up four wickets for 55 in the second innings.

Haryana leg-spinners Rahul Tewatia and Yuzvendra Chahal destroyed Odisha’s second innings, scalping four and three wickets respectively. Odisha vice-captain Poddar waged a lone battle, hitting 74-ball 44 with the help of nine boundaries.

Earlier electing to bat, Haryana were in dire straits, losing three wickets for 18 runs. But a century each by Khod (194) and Rahul Dalal (136) Haryana were in dire straits, losing three wickets for 18 runs. But a century each by Khod (194) and Rahul Dalal (136) and a 233-run fifth-wicket partnership between the two helped them muster the big total.

Haryana lost their remaining five wickets in addition of 72 runs. Speedster Suryakant Pradhan spearheaded Odisha`s fight back, bagging five wickets for 110 runs. His senior new-ball partner Basant Mohanty scalped three wickets, while left-arm spinner Dhiraj Singh picked up a brace.

Odisha then rode on a 192-run partnership for the fifth wicket between captain Biplab Samantray and Abhilash Mallick to make 484. Samantaray slammed an unbeaten 182 (414 balls, 23x4, 2x6), while Mallick hit 117 (131 balls, 13x4, 3x6). Among other successful Odisha batsmen, opener Girija Rout made 54 and Poddar contributed 48. Yuzvendra Chahal was the most successful bowler for Haryana, bagging four wickets for 74 runs.

BRIEF SCORE: Haryana 483 (Abhimanyu Khod 194, Rahul Dalal 136, Nitin Saini 49, Joginder Sharma 43; Suryakant Pradhan 5/110, Basant Mohanty 3/83, Dhiraj Singh 2/77) and 250 for 7 decl (Abhimanyu Khod 104 n.o, Sunny Singh 112; Basant Mohanty 4/55) beat Odisha 484 (Biplab Samantaray 182 n.o, Abhilash Mallick 117, Girija Rout 54, Govind Poddar 48; Yuzvendra Chahal 4/74, Joginder Sharma 3/73) and 113 (Govind Poddar 44; Rahul Tewatia 4/26, Yuzvendra Chahal 3/54) by 136 runs.
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PHOTO: Odisha captain Biplab Samantray (Left) and Abhilash Mallick