GUWAHATI, Nov 14 - Stumper Kunal Saikia scored his maiden first class century to held Assam reach a respectable first innings total of 301 against Odisha in the Group B Ranji Trophy match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad. But on the second day of the four-day encounter, Odisha hit back in style as they scored 150 for the loss of two wickets despite having a dismal start by losing two wickets for 68. At stumps Govinda Poddar and Subhranshu Senapatinot were batting with 81 and 34 respectively.
Earlier, resuming their first innings at the overnight total of 224 for five, Assam lost some quick wickets in the morning session and nobody could offer support to Kunal as Assam lost their eighth wicket at the total of 247. But the ninth wicket partnership between Kunal and Abu Nechim Ahmed yielded valuable 48 runs. Kunal (overnight 88 not out) completed his century and was the tenth batsman to out after enabling Assam cross the 300 mark. Kunal faced 309 balls for his cracking 135 which was studded with 18 boundaries.
Odisha skipper Govinda Poddar took 155 deliveries hitting 10 boundaries and a six.
SCORECARD
Assam 1st innings: (Overnight 224/5) Kunal Saikia c Abhishek Yadav b Samantray 135, Arup Das c Rawat b Mohanty 3, J Syed Mohammad run out 5, Sarupam Purkayastha c Dhiraj Singh b Pradhan 1, Abu Nechim Ahmed c & b Samantray 20, Krishna Das not out 0; Extras: (b 4, lb 4, w 3, nb 4) 15; Total: (all out; 121.5 overs) 301. Fall of wickets: 6-232, 7-238, 8-247, 9-295, 10-301. Bowling: B Mohanty 24-13-18-3, SB Pradhan 29-7-90-3, DR Behera 18-3-49-0, BB Samantray 15.5-2-41-2, Dhiraj Singh 16-3-57-0, GB Poddar 19-3-38-0,.
Odisha 1st innings: SP Pattnaik lbw b Arup Das 1, Abhishek Yadav c Saikia b Krishna Das 26, GB Poddar not out 81, SP Senapati not out 34; Extras: (lb 5, w 2, nb 1) 8; Total: (2 wickets; 57 overs) 150. Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-68. Bowling: Arup Das 11-1-28-1, Krishna Das 17-3-40-1, Abu Nechim Ahmed 10-2-30-0, J Syed Mohammad 14-2-30-0, Sarupam Purkayastha 4-0-17-0, Amit Verma 1-1-0-0.
