Vijay Hazare Trophy LIVE: Odisha opener Swastik Samal scores a double ton, writes his name in history books

Swastik Samal produced a breathtaking double century, smashing 212 off 169 balls with 21 fours and 8 sixes, to power Odisha to a formidable 345/6 against Saurashtra in their Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite Group D clash at the KSCA Cricket Ground, Alur on Wednesday.

Samal scored a stunning 212 off 169 balls

The 23-year-old left-hander anchored the innings after early jolts, forging a massive 261-run partnership for the fourth wicket with captain Samantray (100 off 91 balls, 7x4, 3x6).

Samal fell in the 49.4th over, caught by Chetan Sakariya off Chirag Jani, but not before setting a daunting target. His strike rate of 125.44 underlined a knock blending patience and power.

Odisha won the toss and batted first on a batsman-friendly pitch. Openers Swastik Samal and Om T Munde (4) added 30 before Munde fell lbw to Ankur Panwar in the 5.1st over.

Sandeep Pattnaik (2) followed soon, lbw to Panwar at 43/2 (9.3 overs), and G Poddar (9) holed out off Prerak Mankad at 59/3 (11.5 overs).

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Odisha posted 345/6 in the first inning

The game-changer was the Samal-Samantray stand, rescuing Odisha from 59/3 and accelerating post-30 overs. Samantray reached his ton before perishing at 320/4 (47th over), caught by Dharmenda Jadeja off Panwar. Prayash Singh (1) came and went quickly at 323/5 (47.4), but Aasirwad Swain (10*) and Sambit S Baral (0*) saw out the overs.

Gujarat's bowlers toiled without much reward. Ankur Panwar (3/68) was the pick, dismissing Munde, Pattnaik, and Samantray.

Chirag Jani (2/52) accounted for Poddar and Samal, while Prerak Mankad (1/38) got the other. Chetan Sakariya (0/66), DA Jadeja (0/61), and Parth Bhut (0/59) went wicketless as extras added 7 (6w, 1lb).

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In reply, Saurashtra lost Harvik Desai early and then Jay Gohil during their chase. Saurashtra are playing without their star player, Jaidev Unadkat, who wants to focus on the T20 format and Ranji Trophy coming up in the new year. Moreover, they are also without the services of Ravindra Jadeja, the star Indian all-rounder.