Ranji Trophy: Natraj, Ranjit put Odisha on top against Haryana

Lahli (Haryana): Fine unbeaten centuries by captain Natraj Behera and Ranjit Singh put Odisha in the driver’s seat against Haryana on the opening day of a seventh round Group A Ranji Trophy cricket match at Chaudhry Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium, Lahli on Sunday.

At stumps, Odisha were 280 for one.

Opting to bat after winning the toss, Odisha lost the early wicket of Girja Rout (10). However, Natraj (143 batting) and Singh (109 batting) consolidated the innings with an unbeaten 263 run partnership to take Odisha to a comfortable position.

Natraj faced 244 balls and hit 12 boundaries and four sixes during his unbeaten knock, while Singh's ton came off 266 deliveries with the help of eight fours and two hits over the fence.

It was Behera’s eighth first class century while for Singh, it was a maiden century.

For Haryana, Mohit Sharma (1/33) accounted for the lone Odisha wicket to fall in the day.

Brief Scores:
Odisha: 280 for one in 87 overs (Natraj Behera 143 not out, Ranjit Singh 109 not out; Mohit Sharma 1/33).