Buchi Babu Cricket: Kerala beat Odisha by 44 runs

Odisha Sun Times Sports Bureau
Chennai, Aug 16:

Fine centuries by Govind Poddar and Aravind Kumar Singh went in vain as Odisha lost to Kerala by 44 runs in the All India Buchi Babu Invitational Cricket Tournament at Chennai today.

Replying to Kerala’s 412 for 9 in 100 overs, Odisha were all out for 390 in 90.4 overs.

After resuming their innings in the morning, Odisha lost the early wicket of opener Pratik Anurag Das for 1 with the score at 10.

Girija Rout did not last long either, getting out for 27. However, Poddar and Singh steadied the innings with a rollicking 146-run partnership.

Poddar, who made a fine 137 with 19 fours, was out with the score at 235 for 3.

Wickets fell at regular intervals after Poddar’s departure while Singh waged a lone fight till he got out for a fine 102 with 8 fours and 2 sixes.

Despite a modest scores by captain Biplab Samantray (25) and Haladhar Das (31 not out), Odisha lost the momentum as the remaining batsmen went cheaply.