Odisha well-placed after Behera, Samantray tons

Niranjan Behera (103) and Biplab Samantray (107) scored a century each as Odisha took the first innings lead on the third day of their Ranji Trophy group league match against Maharashtra in Sambalpur on Monday.

The duo ensured Odisha were 126 runs ahead on the first innings in the Group B match at the Veer Surendra Sai stadium.

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Odisha were all out for 441 in 129 overs, after resuming the day on 237 for 3, in reply to Maharashtra's first innings of 315.

Niranjan and Samantray, the two overnight batsmen, denied Maharashtra a breakthrough for more than 30 overs in the day before the former was out. The pair stitched 121 runs for fourth wicket.

Niranjan's 103 came from 254 balls and contained 11 fours.

Samantray then took charge and had another fruitful stand of 109 runs with Deepak Behera (49) for the sixth wicket.

Samantray was the ninth Odisha batsman out; his 107 came off 231 balls and contained 17 fours.

For Maharashtra, pacer Samad Fallah took three wickets on Monday while Chirag Khurana chipped in with two.

In their second essay, Maharashtra were 73 for one, with opener Harshad Khadiwale batting on 43 and Sangram Dilp Atitkar giving him company on 24.

Maharashtra trail by 53 runs with nine second innings wickets intact at the draw of stumps.

Brief scores:

Maharashtra: 315 & 73 for 1 in 26 overs (Harshad Khadiwale batting 43).

Odisha: 441 in 129 overs (Niranjan Behera 103, Biplab Samantray 107; Samad Fallah 3-118).