Dhuper, Senapati take Odisha to safety in Ranji Trophy opener against Baroda

Rajesh Dhuper and Subhranshu Senapati’s 156-run stand for the fifth wicket saved hosts Odisha the blushes as they recovered from a dramatic top-order collapse to finish the first day of their season-opening Ranji Trophy Group A match against Baroda on 205 for five wickets from 89.5 overs in Cuttack on Wednesday.Opting to bat first at Barabati Stadium, Odisha openers Swastik Samal and Gourav Choudhury (both 24) gave the hosts a cautious but decent start by reaching 49 before a needless run-out of the latter seemed to open the floodgates. They lost four wickets without adding any run to the scoreboard to be reduced to 49/4 in the 23rd over.Medium pacer Atit Sheth did most of the damage which started with him running out Choudhury before left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt returned Sandeep Pattnaik for a duck. Sheth then accounted for Samal and veteran Govinda Poddar (0) in his next two overs as Odisha looked down the barrel suddenly.Captain Senapati (79 of 203 balls) then led from the front as he joined hands with Dhuper (76 batting of 212 balls) to arrest the slide and stitched together a patient partnership to take his side to safety. Unfortunately, Senapati could not survive the second last ball of the day as he was castled by Bhatt. With his departure the stumps were drawn on the opening day, which saw fortunes swing like a pendulum.Brief scores: Odisha 205/5 in 89.5 overs (S Senapati 79, R Dhuper batting 76; A Seth 2/41, B Bhatt 2/54) vs Baroda. Match to continue.