Natraj Behera, who replaced Biplab Samantray as the skipper, scored a magnificent hundred and is still unbeaten on 143. Young and talented Ranjit Singh is batting on 109. Odisha reached 280/1 at stumps on Day 1.
Natraj and Ranjit have added 263 runs for the second wicket so far. Haryana, which earlier prepared a green turf, changed its decision at the eleventh hour and cut all grasses to make the pitch batsmen-friendly, as they feared the onslaught from Odisha bowlers.