Ranji Trophy: Subhranshu's heroics in vain as Odisha lose to Jharkhand by a whisker

Bhubaneswar: Despite a brilliant fighting knock of 157 runs by Subhranshu Senapati, Odisha tasted defeat in a nerve-wrecking Elite Group-C Ranji Trophy match against Jharkhand played at JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi today.

Man of the match Senapati, who ticked his innings despite losing wickets at the other end in regular intervals, scored a magnificent 157 runs (not out) off 321 balls. However, the visitors Odisha lost its last wicket with just 2 runs away from snatching a crucial win against strong Jharkhand after Dhiraj Singh was bowled by Varun Aaron.

Put to bat, Jharkhand were bundled out to a low 172 runs thanks to a brilliant bowling performance of 5/44 by Basant Mohanty. However, Odisha too lost wickets in quick succession and managed to give a narrow 29 run lead in the first innings.

In the second innings, the hosts put up a decent 288 runs on board with the help of a brilliant century from Saurabh Tiwary. Assisted by small partnerships in the middle order, Tiwary scored 132 (not out) off 220 balls and helped Jharkhand put a fighting total of 259 runs on the board.

Odisha suffered batting collapse and lost wickets at regular intervals in the second innings. Eight players could only put up single digit scores on the board as the visitors were all out for 257 runs, just 2 runs short of the target.

With the loss, Odisha now has 13 points from 5 matches. It had drawn its first match in this year’s Ranji season against Haryana followed by a 10-wicket loss to Uttar Pradesh before winning a crucial match against Assam in Guwahati. In the last match, Odisha thrashed Tripura by 5 wickets.

Odisha will play its next match against the Group C table toppers Rajasthan team which is still unbeaten in its first 5 matches.