Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 5: A brilliant unbeaten innings of 162 (425b, 14×4) by Girija Rout helped Orissa draw their match against Himachal Pradesh XI in their Group A tie of the All India K Thimmappiah Memorial cricket tournament in Bangalore, Wednesday. However, hopes of a semifinal place were dashed for Orissa as they lie third in the group with seven points.
Riding on Girija’s knock, Orissa, who resumed their overnight score of 228 for the loss of four wickets declared their innings at 386 for seven giving HP a victory target of 282 runs in their second essay. With only 20 overs of play possible after that, HP finished on 64 for the loss of two wickets.
Earlier Girija put on 129 runs for the fifth wicket with skipper Biplab Samantray (51, 159b, 6×4) to dash whatever hopes the HP XI had. Both batted with a lot of determination and did not give any chance to the Himachal Pradesh bowlers. After the departure of Biplab, Orissa lost Anshuman Gope (1) and Alok Chandra Sahoo (16) in quick succession. But Suryakant Pradhan (27 n o, 21b, 1×4, 3×6) hit some lusty blows to take Orissa close to the 400-run mark.
In HP’s second innings Suryakant Pradhan and left-arm spinner Jayant Behera picked up a wicket each. Jayant ended the match with figures of seven for 125 runs which should bode well for Orissa in the days to come.
