Veteran all-rounder
Resuming the final day at 102/4, Odisha struggled to build a meaningful resistance against a disciplined Kerala bowling attack. The visitors were eventually dismissed for 143 in 58.3 overs during the second session, with Saxena finishing with impressive figures of 5/34 from 18 overs, including seven maidens. While opener Gourav Choudhary top-scored with 53 and captain Subhranshu Senapati contributed 30, the lower order collapsed rapidly, with the final two wickets falling to run-outs. Mohammed Azharuddeen was named Player of the Match for his first-innings knock of 139.
Mumbai and Other Ranji Trophy Developments
In Group D, Mumbai continued their dominant form by securing a second consecutive bonus-point victory, defeating Himachal Pradesh by an innings and 97 runs in Bilaspur. After posting a commanding 528/8 declared, led by Sarfaraz Khan’s 154 and Akash Anand’s 117, Mumbai dismantled the hosts for 140 in the first innings. Despite a better effort in the second innings, Himachal Pradesh were bowled out for 291, handing Mumbai a comprehensive win.
Elsewhere, Delhi earned three points from a drawn match against Gujarat at the Palam B Ground. Despite a massive first-innings total of 648/6 declared, featuring centuries from Ayush Badoni (217) and Priyansh Arya (199), Delhi could not force an outright result after Gujarat responded with 479. Hrithik Shokeen claimed 5/143 for Delhi, who moved to sixth in the standings. In other fixtures, Punjab secured a seven-wicket win over Chhattisgarh behind strong bowling from Harjas Singh and Emanjot Singh Chahal, while Hyderabad defeated Andhra by 267 runs, aided by a six-wicket haul from Tanay Thyagarajan. Meanwhile, Saurashtra settled for three points against Karnataka after a draw in Alur.
