Tangi, Dec 17: Pacer Rush Kalaria (6/45) was again in the thick of actions as Gujarat scored an easy eight-wicket victory over Orissa in their Group B Ranji Trophy cricket match at the DRIEMS ground here Wednesday.
Dismissing the hosts for 248 in their second essay, the visitors knocked off the target of 102 runs, scoring 105 in the process, for the loss of two wickets.
Kalaria returned with 12 wickets from the match and despite skipper Abhilash Mallick’s (126, 137b, 23×4, 2×6) century, Orissa could not avoid the inevitable as none of the others were able to support him.
Resuming at their overnight score of 143 for five, Orissa added 105 runs in 34.1 overs, losing five wickets in the process. Abhilash who resumed his innings needing 10 runs to score his maiden Ranji Trophy ton, duly completed his century. He continued to bat in an aggressive manner but fell to medium pacer Kushang Patel and with him disappeared Orissa’s hopes. Govind Poddar (57, 168b, 6×4) battled hard but couldn’t save
the day.
Brief Scores: Orissa 225 and 248 (Abhilash Mallick 126; Rush Kalaria 6/45) lost to Gujarat 372 and 105 for 2 (Bhargav Merai 43 n o) by eight wickets.
Other matches (Orissa group)
(At Lahli): Haryana 136 and 176 (SS Mundhe 4/39) bt Maharashtra 105 and 154 (Mohit Sharma 5/45) by 53 runs.
(At Nagpur): Punjab 195 and 255 (G Khera 100); Vidarbha 158 and 143 for 3 (S Badrinath 49 n o). Match drawn.
(At Jaipur): Rajasthan 437 for 5 decl; Saurashtra 269 and 117 for 3 (SP Jackson 71 n o). Match drawn.
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