TNI Bureau: Niranjan Behera and Biplab Samantray put Odisha on top against Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy match in Sambalpur. Odisha have also taken a first innings lead against Maharashtra.

Earlier, resuming from the overnight score of 237/3, Odisha batsmen batted with patience and aggression. Niranjan scored 103 before being dismissed by Khurana. Subhrajit Sahoo did not last long. But, Biplab showed great resolve and scored a hundred.He scored 107. Deepak Behera made 49.

Biplab was unlucky to miss out on a hundred against Karnataka earlier. He was out for 86 in that match.  But, this time, he did not falter. In reply to Maharashtra’s first innings score of 315, Odisha bowled out for 441, taking a lead of 126 runs. Fallah and Mundhe took three wickets each, while Khurana took two wickets. Maharashtra finished Day 3 at 77/1.