Natraj’s double ton creates history, puts Odisha in driver’s seat

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Nov 16:

Odisha captain Natraj Behera today played a swashbuckling innings with an unbeaten 255 to see the team pile up a mammoth total of 529 for six declared on the second day of their first innings against Haryana in Group A Ranji Trophy match played at Chaudhury Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium, Lahli.

Riding on the overnight score of 143, Behera remained unbeaten on 255 (453) and struck 19 boundaries and four sixes.

The captain’s innings has put the visiting team in a commanding position against the Haryana team.

It is worth mentioning here that Natraj Behera has etched his place in the record books after his second double ton. Even as Shiv Sundar Das’ 300 not out against Jammu & Kashmir at Cuttack in 2006-07 remains the highest score in the history of Odisha cricket, Natraj Behera’s innings has earned the distinction of scoring the highest run away from home and the overall second highest scorer in the history.

Resuming the overnight score of 280 for one, Odisha added 249 more runs on board before declaraing their innings. Centurion Ranjit Singh could add just three runs to his individual score before being dismissed for 112.

In reply, Haryana finished the day on 38 for no loss in 15 overs.

Rahul Dewan (26) and Nitin Saini (12) were on crease.

Brief Scores:

Odisha: 529 for six dec in 163 overs (Natraj Behera 255 not out, Ranjit Singh 112, Halhadar Das 93; Harshal Patel 2/94, Jayant Yadav (2/164).

Haryana: 38 for no loss in 15 overs (Rahul Dewan 26 not out, Nitin Saini 12 not out).