After impressive figures from Mukhtar Hussain on the 1st day of the Ranji Trophy match between Assam and Odisha played in Guwahati, it was fast bowler Ranjit Mali's turn today. He displayed some spectacular fast bowling on the 2nd day to rip through Odisha's middle order. However, Assam's below par batting meant Odisha scored a very important lead of 119 runs in the 1st innings. The story was not very different for the Assam batsmen in the 2nd innings as they ended the day at 60-4, trailing Odisha by 59 runs.
Earlier in the day, the Odisha batsmen started cautiously. Anurag Sarangi could not add a lot to his overnight score and was dismissed for 77 by Ranjit Mali. However, Odisha captain Biplab Samantray took the team forward and looked in fine touch during his half century. Odisha scored 240 in their 1st innings. Ranjit Mali bowled a splendid spell and took 6 of the remaining 7 wickets. However, a lead of 119 meant Assam batsmen had a task in hand and they failed to deliver yet again. None of the batsmen posed any challenge and Assam ended the day at 60-4 with Kunal Saikia and Riyan Parag being dismissed for ducks.
The game does not look like going beyond the 3rd day and Assam will need nothing short of a miracle to make a game out of it.
(By Uddipta N. Borah)
