Ranji Trophy: Middle-order collapse leaves Orissa on back foot against Hyderabad

CUttack ( Orissa) : Middle-order collapse against Hyderbad on the penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A tie left Orissa on back foot as the host bundled out for 269 trailing 27-run in first innings here in Cuttack on Wednesday.

At stumps on Day 3, Hyderabad were going strong on 56 for one, extending their lead to 83. D Ravi Teja (22) and D Rishi Raj (33) were at the crease.

With captain Shib Sundar Das leading from the front, Orissa resumed their first innings with the overnight score of 150 for three.

However SM Shoaib struck early in the morning removing nightwatchman Pritamjeet Das (7) who could only add one run to his last night's total.

Pritamjeet's ouster triggered a batting collapse as former India opener Das followed soon after following a run out. He had added just five runs to his over night score of 75.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Haladhar Das (8) was the next to go leaving Orissa at 168 for six before lunch.

In the second session Orissa batsmen made desperate attempt to get past the magical figure of 296 to take much important first innings lead.

Jayachandra and Rakesh Mohanty put on 41 runs for the seventh wicket before Rakesh (28) fell to MP Arjun with the scoreboard reading 209 in 90.2 overs.

Debashish Mohanty (0) soon followed him. However Jayachandra tried hard to steer his team ahead but ran out of partners.

Source: odishatoday.com