Basanth makes Punjab struggle

Resuming after an overnight break, Orissa added another 45 runs to post 323.

In reply to Orissa8217;s total, Punjab started well, with openers Sunny Sohal and Karan Goel adding 46 runs for the first wicket. But then Basanth got into the act and got Sunny Sohal 22 out in the 14th over. And then he got Ravi Inder Rajji, who had recently scored a century against Baroda.

With the Mohanty duo 8211; Debasish and Basanth 8211; tearing into the Punjab line-up, Punjab was reduced to 91 for 5. But then a defiant knock of 53 runs by south-paw Ankur Kakkar and his partnership of 55 runs with Gagandeep Singh 20 saw Punjab avoid the follow on. Both Gagandeep and Ankur played attacking shots all over the park. Ankur8217;s innings included five boundaries.

Basanth again struck for Orissa in the 65th over when he got Ankur out, who was caught in the mid-wicket area while trying to play a pull shot. At draw of stumps, Gagandeep 20 n.o and Siddharth Kaul 1 n.o were at the crease.

Brief scores: Orissa 323 R R Parida 52, H Das 100; Gagandeep Singh 4/65. S Kaul 5/79 v Punjab 207 A Kakkar 53; Debasish Mohanty 2/63, Basanth Mohanty 4/42.