Bhubaneswar: Odisha batters blew hot and cold on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash against Uttar Pradesh at Kanpur to be bowled out for 243.

The home team reached 17 without loss at stumps on Saturday at the Green Park Stadium. ADVERTISEMENT

Choosing to bat first after skipper Subhranshu Senapati won the toss, Odisha slumped to 36/3 in the first session, with Shivam Mavi sending back openers Swastik Samal and Aashirwad Swain for 4 runs apiece. Subhranshu survived 21 balls before falling for 3.

Sandeep Pattanaik (53) and Govinda Poddar (64) started ‘operation recovery’ and revived Odisha with a 92-run partnership.

But a three-wicket burst by left-arm spinner Shivam Sharma put UP back on top as Odisha slipped to 131/6.

Then came another fighting partnership of 9

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