Opener Rahul Dewan smashed an unbeaten century to take Haryana to a commanding position against hosts Odisha in an inconsequential Group A match of the Ranji Trophy, here today.
Placed seventh and last in the nine-team Group A, Odisha and Haryana are already out of the quarterfinal reckoning but both the teams would be hoping to end their Ranji campaign this season on a positive note.
Dewan made an unconquered 136 off 253 balls with the help of 19 boundaries, while Sachin Rana was unbeaten on strokeful 83 off 103 balls and Avi Barot scored 60 off 91 balls as Haryana took the vital first innings lead over Odisha.
Replying top Odisha's 242 all out, Haryana were 294 for two at stumps on the second day of the four-day match at the East Coast Railway Sports Association ground.
Dewan and Barot made a strong start to Haryana's reply, stitching 143 runs for the opening stand before Rana joined hands with Dewan and the duo shared an unbroken 141-run third-wicket partnership to take the visitor's forward.
For Odisha, Off-spinner Niranjan Behera (2/48) accounted for both the Haryana wickets to fall today.
Earlier resuming their innings at the overnight score of 221 for nine, the last wicket pair of Odisha added 21 more runs before being bowled out.
Brief Scores:
Odisha: 242 all out in 100-.3 overs (Girja Rout 94; Amit Mishra 4/83, Jayant Yadav 3/51).
Haryana: 294 for two in 77 overs (Rahul Dewan 136 not out, Sachin Rana not out; Niranjan Behera 2/48).
