SS Das slams unbeaten ton

In fact, it came as a blessing in disguise for Orissa, as just a couple of deliveries earlier Das unsuccessfully appealed for badlight.

The Punjab side, which arrived here only in the wee hours of Friday, had their travel-travails somewhat extended with the loss of toss. For, they would have surely liked to bat first, had they won the toss. But, they put the disappointmentaside as Bharat Bhushan struck early blows to reduce Orissa to 27 for two.

The burly mediumpacer induced Jaychandra to edge an away swinger to Punjab captain Pankaj Dharmani, at first slip, in his third over. Pravanjan Mullick, the Orissa No.3, failed to utilise an ideal batting wicket when he top-edged an intended hook off a harmless bouncer from Bharat Bhushan. Then Sandeep Sharma removed the other opener BBCC Mohapatra, after changing ends with Bhushan. Mohapatra played sensibly for his 27 (3×4) before misjudging an in-dipper.

Thus the stage was set for SS Das to demonstrate his growing stature in the senior side. He took the bowlers head-on, stroking fluently on either side of the wicket with consummate ease. Though his first scoring stroke was a thick outside edge, what followed was a pleasant and entertaining batting display for the rest of the day.

Even as wickets fell at almost regular intervals at the other end Das kept on taking the fight to the rival camp. He elegantly ondrove Bharat Bhushanmore than once and picked up highly-rated Harbhajan Singh for special treatment, hitting him for three delectable boundaries, in his second over, forcing the rival skipper to take the legspinner off the firing line.