Ranji Trophy: Poddar’s five-wicket haul powers Odisha to commanding win over Nagaland

Bhubaneswar: Odisha secured their first victory of the Ranji Trophy season in emphatic fashion, defeating Nagaland by 299 runs on the final day of their Elite Group A contest at the KIIT Cricket Stadium, here on Wednesday. Senior allrounder Govinda Poddar produced a marathon spell to claim a five-wicket haul, setting up a long-awaited win for the hosts.

Chasing a daunting target of 465, Nagaland never looked in the hunt and folded for 165 in 83 overs. Poddar, who led the bowling effort from the front, returned superb figures of 5 for 69 off 31 disciplined overs. His sustained pressure was complemented by young seamer Badal Biswal, playing just his debut season, who impressed with a career-best 3 for 38.

The result lifted Odisha to sixth place in the group standings, taking them above Tamil Nadu with seven points from five matches. Nagaland, meanwhile, continued to languish at the bottom with a solitary point.

Odisha, who had endured a difficult start with three defeats in their first four games, will take confidence from this convincing performance heading into a short break before the Ranji Trophy pause. Their focus now shifts to the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, where they open against Kerala in Lucknow next week.

Earlier in the day, Nagaland resumed with overnight batters Dega Nischal and Hem Chetri, both of whom batted with determination in the opening hour. The pair added a steady half-century stand and kept the hosts at bay until Poddar finally broke through, removing Nischal for a well-made 52 in the 19th over of the morning.

Poddar continued to make inroads, trapping Chetri leg before soon after to leave the visitors wobbling at 101 for 3. While Nagaland managed to reach lunch without further damage, Odisha wasted no time after the interval. Poddar struck immediately, dismissing Nzanthung Mozhui for 8, and from there the collapse gathered pace.

Regular wickets ensured the visitors never recovered, and Poddar completed his five-wicket haul by getting Vino Zhimomi, leaving Nagaland reeling at 146 for 9. Tailender Ronit More (20 not out) offered brief resistance, batting doggedly alongside Dip Borah, but their partnership was short-lived. Sambit Baral ended the match when he pinned Borah in front, sealing a deserved victory for the home side.