Odisha started the 2013-14 Ranji Trophy campaign on a disastrous note, as they suffered an innings defeat against the mighty Punjab in Mohali. Harbhajan Singh was the star performer with nine wickets in the game.
In the first innings, Odisha bowled out for a paltry 205, which put the team on back foot for the remaining part of the four-day match. Punjab declared their first innings at 560/6 (Mandeep Singh 175, Taruwar Kohli 144).
In the second innings, Odisha batsmen fought well, but that was not enough to avoid the innings defeat. Odisha bowled out for 307. Abhilash Mallick made 73, while Govind Podder scored 70. Niranjan Beehera (56) and Basant Mohanty (41) were the other top contributors. Harbhajan Singh, who took six wickets in the first innings, took another three in the second.
