Captain Subranshu Senapati scored a patient half-century to help Orissa set a respectable total in the second day of the Ranji Trophy Group A match at Eden Gardens here on Wednesday. .
Orissa, who started 96 for 2, made 265 in the first innings. In response, Bengal was 39 in two stumps.
Orissa lost opener Shantanu mishra to Pritam Chakraborty in the day’s eventful second over.
In the same over, Bengal pacesetter Akash Deep, who ran aground in a ravine, was hit in the head by the jerky impact of the ball. He was replaced in his left arm by “concussion replacement” sailor Geet Puri.
Ishan Porel removed Rakesh Pattanaik and debutant Akash Ghatak took the first first-class wicket when experienced Govinda Poddar was played to leave Odisha 139 for 5.
However, a focused Senapati (67, 127b, 9x4s) and wicket-keeper batsman Rajesh dhuper (15, 63b, 2x4s) made him an important record of 47 runs. The duo played every ball on merit until Dhuper Ishan, who rolled well on points, hit the stumps on the inside edge.
Senapati successfully hit a cut and an offside in his innings which he lasted 4 hours and 25 minutes. He was bowled by Chakraborty who pulled good moves from the surface.
Suryakant Pradhan (22, 12b, 5×4), Sunil Roul (24, 52b, 5×4) and Basant Mohanty (15 n.o., 36b, 3×4) contributed a series of valuable runs.
Mohanty, 36, was awarded honorary garrison by both sides in the farewell match, when Karan Lal was caught in a slip and gave Orissa a breakthrough in five overs.
Pacer Sunil Rohr broke through Sudip Gharami’s defense later in the day.
Bengal His team sources said Akash his Deep and Anustup Majumdar who injured his left thumb on the field are doing well.