Cuttack, Dec 24: Skipper Pratik Das’s (141, 176b, 23×4) valiant century went in vain as Orissa were made to follow on Himachal Pradesh after they were dismissed for 283 in their first innings, in reply to the mammoth 539 runs set by the visiting team on the third day of the Col. CK Nayudu Trophy cricket tie at the Ravenshaw University Ground here Wednesday.
Arya Debashis Bhat also contributed 43 runs, but lack of good partnerships did not help the host’s cause. SN Nirmoi (3/71) and VK Galetia (3/71) bowled well in tandem to unsettle Orissa’s top order.
At stumps, Orissa were 21 without loss in their second essay with openers Rishikesh Das (3 n o) and Abinash Saha (16 n o) occupying the crease. Orissa still need 235 runs to avoid innings defeat.
Brief scores: Himachal Pradesh 539/9 decl; Orissa 283 (Pratik Das 141, Arya Debashis Bhat 43; SN Nirmoi 3/71, V K Galetia 3/71) and 21/0. Match to continue