Cooch Behar Trophy: Uttarakhand hold narrow three-run lead after Odisha bowled out on opening day

Kashipur: A low-scoring opening day in the Cooch Behar Trophy (U19) clash between Odisha and Uttarakhand at the Highlanders Sports Academy here ended with the visitors gaining a slim three-run lead, after Odisha were bowled out for 146 in their first innings.

Odisha, who opted to bat first, struggled to build partnerships despite a counterattacking effort from Piyus Ranjan Mantri, who top-scored with a fluent 61 off 46 balls, hitting five fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 132.61. Arpit Mohanty contributed with 31 off 43 balls, but the rest of the batting order failed to settle against a devastating spell from Priyanshu Singh, who ripped through the innings with exceptional figures of 15.1-6-33-8, while Nishu Patel chipped in with 2 for 17.

In response, Uttarakhand also found themselves under pressure but managed to edge ahead, finishing their first innings at 149 in 48 overs. Rakshit Dalakoti anchored the top order with a patient 64 off 125 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes. Aditya Naithani provided stability in the middle order, remaining unbeaten on 59 off 78 balls with eight boundaries. Odisha kept things tight, with Sambit K Beja producing an economical spell of 12-3-17-1, while Priyanshu Mohanty took 1 for 28 from his 12 overs.

At stumps on Day 1, Uttarakhand held a slender advantage, leading by three runs and setting up an intriguing second day’s play.