KOLKATA: Odisha took the first-innings lead against Puducherry in their Group D Ranji Trophy tie at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday.
Although Puducherry skipper Arun Karthik scored a fighting century (110 off 175 balls), the Odisha bowlers all chipped in to dismiss the visitors for 284 in 86.2 overs and helped the hosts take a lead of 38 runs.
Coming down to bat in their second innings, Odisha then reached 122/4 in 40 overs at stumps on Day 3 with Govinda Poddar and Biplab Samantaray unbeaten on 19 and 5 respectively.
With Odisha leading by 160 runs and just six wickets in hand, the last day should see both teams go all out for a win. The hosts already have one win in the season so far and will surely like to earn their second.
Earlier, resuming on 127/4, Puducherry lost their fifth wicket when Fabid Ahmed was dismissed by Sunil Roul in the seventh over of the morning. However, Karthik was given good support by Sagar Udeshi (34 off 45 balls) and then Krishna Pandey (42 off 59) as the captain reached his 11th first-class century. But despite his good show, he was unable to help Puducherry take the first-innings lead as the Odisha bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals.
Brief scores: Odisha 322 & 122/4 in 40 overs (S Mishra 28; R Yadav 1/17). Puducherry 284 in 86.2 overs (A Karthik 110, K Pandey 42; R Mohanty 2/42, H Rathod 2/55). Match to continue
