The second match of the Ranji Trophy 2025/26 season between Odisha and Uttar Pradesh began on a competitive note at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur on Saturday, with Odisha posting a fighting total of 243 runs in their first innings.
Odisha recover from early blows to post 243
Batting first, Odisha were rocked early on. They lost three wickets for 36 runs inside 15 overs. Thereafter, Sandeep Pattnaik and Govinda Poddar built a 92-run stand. Sandeep anchored the innings with a steady 53 from 138 balls. Poddar, the seasoned campaigner, played with his trademark composure, crafting a well-paced 64 from 109 balls. to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Once Pattnaik was dismissed, Odisha suffered a mini collapse. They lost Rajesh Dhuper (0) and Poddar to get reduced to 131/6.
A 94-run stand was then added for the 7th wicket between Sambit S Baral and Rajesh Mohanty. Sambit scored a fluent knock of 59, while Mohanty added valuable lower-order resistance with a gritty 48.
What about the UP bowlers?
Uttar Pradesh did a reasonable job with the ball, twice hurting Odisha especially upfront and then enjoying a three-wicket burst, breaking a 92-run stand.
For the hosts, Shivam Sharma emerged as the standout performer, returning with impressive figures of 3 for 65 from 21 overs (3 maidens).
The likes of Shivam Mavi, Vipraj Nigam and Prashant Veer picked two wickets each with the ball.
UP end the day unscathed
In response, Uttar Pradesh made a cautious start and reached 17 without loss at stumps on Day 1. The visitors now trail by 226 runs, setting up an intriguing battle heading into the second day’s play.
With the pitch expected to assist spinners as the game progresses, Odisha will look to make early inroads on Day 2 to maintain control, while Uttar Pradesh batters will aim to build partnerships and inch closer to the total.
UP are ahead of Odisha at end of Day 1 and will want to be solid from the start on Day 2.
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