 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 February 1956 Ghatsila, Bihar, India |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm medium |
| Role | All-rounder |
| Domestic team information | |
| Years | Team |
| 1977–1986 | Orissa |
| East Zone | |
Source: ESPNcricinfo | |
Somnath Sahoo (born 21 February 1956) is a former Indian cricketer who represented Orissa and East Zone in domestic cricket. A right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler, he played first-class cricket primarily for Orissa in the Ranji Trophy and also represented East Zone in inter-zonal competitions. He later served on the Odisha Cricket Association's senior men's selection committee.[1][2]
Early life and career[edit | edit source]
Sahoo was born on 21 February 1956 at Ghatsila, then in Bihar. He was associated with Rourkela and worked at the Rourkela Steel Plant of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). He played for Orissa at the under-22 level before progressing to the senior team and subsequently representing East Zone.[2]
Sahoo made his first-class debut for Orissa against Assam in a Ranji Trophy match in December 1977. He scored 6 in Orissa's first innings and 19 in the second innings of the match, which was drawn.[3]
Domestic career[edit | edit source]
Sahoo established himself as an all-rounder in Orissa's Ranji Trophy side during the late 1970s and 1980s. In a match against Assam in December 1980, he scored 79, which became his highest first-class score. Orissa took a first-innings lead in the match and secured five points.[4]
His bowling also contributed to Orissa's performances. Against Bengal in December 1981, Sahoo took four wickets in Bengal's first innings as Orissa held Bengal to a draw after conceding a first-innings lead.[5]
In December 1982, Sahoo took 3 wickets for 16 runs against Assam as Orissa bowled the hosts out for 100 in the first innings. He also scored 24 in Orissa's first innings. Orissa subsequently won the match by 10 wickets.[6]
Ranji Trophy quarter-final[edit | edit source]
During the 1982–83 Ranji Trophy season, Orissa reached the quarter-finals for the first time. The team faced Bombay at the Wankhede Stadium in February 1983 and lost by an innings and 255 runs. Sahoo took two wickets in Bombay's first innings.[7]
Sahoo continued to contribute with both bat and ball during the following seasons. In a 1983–84 Ranji Trophy pre-quarter-final against Rajasthan, he scored 40 in Orissa's first innings and took a wicket in Rajasthan's innings.[8]
Captaincy[edit | edit source]
Sahoo captained Orissa during part of the 1980s. Contemporary records identify him as the team's captain in a Ranji Trophy match against Bihar at Ranchi in November 1984. He scored 71 as Orissa declared at 304 for 6 in reply to Bihar's 307 for 6 declared; the match ended in a draw and both teams received nine points.[9]
According to Orisports, Sahoo led Orissa in six first-class matches and one List A match between 1983 and 1985.[10] His captaincy did not cover the whole of his later playing career; in a match against Assam in December 1985, Harmohan Praharaj led Orissa, replacing Sahoo as captain.[11]
Playing record[edit | edit source]
Sahoo played 33 first-class matches, scoring 863 runs at an average of 17.61, with a highest score of 79. He recorded four half-centuries and took 14 catches. With the ball, he delivered 3,136 balls, conceded 1,815 runs and took 56 wickets at an average of 32.41. His best bowling figures in a first-class innings were 6 wickets for 121 runs, and he recorded one five-wicket haul.[2]
His first-class appearances included 29 Ranji Trophy matches, two Duleep Trophy matches and matches against touring West Indian and English sides, according to the Orisports statistical profile.[2]
In List A cricket, Sahoo played three matches, scoring seven runs and taking six wickets. His best List A bowling figures were 3 for 52.[2]
The Odisha Cricket Association subsequently described him as having represented Odisha and East Zone in 33 first-class and three List A matches between 1977 and 1986.[12]
Later involvement in cricket administration[edit | edit source]
After his playing career, Sahoo remained involved in cricket administration in Odisha. In November 2020, the Odisha Cricket Association appointed him as one of the members of its five-member Senior Men Selection Committee, chaired by former Odisha captain Pravanjan Mullick. The other members were Rabi Narayan Panda, Bishnudev Mohanty and Sourajit Mohapatra.[12]
His appointment placed him among former Odisha cricketers involved in the selection of the state's senior men's team.[12]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Somnath Sahoo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Somnath Sahoo". Orisports.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ "Ranji Trophy: Sikdar, Mohanty slam tons in drawn tie". Orisports. 12 December 1977.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ "Ranji Trophy: Orissa snatch 5 points against Assam". Orisports. 13 December 1980.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ "Ranji Trophy: Sahoo, Panda shine in drawn match". Sports Odisha. 7 December 1981.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ "Ranji Trophy: Praharaj, Biswal script Orissa win". Orisports. 12 December 1982.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ "Ranji Trophy: Orissa suffer innings defeat in QFs". Orisports. 13 February 1983.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ "Orissa v Rajasthan, Ranji Trophy 1983/84". CricketArchive.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ "Ranji Trophy: Orissa, Bihar share points in drawn tie". Sports Odisha. 26 November 1984.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ "Somnath Sahoo". Sports Odisha.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ "Ranji Trophy: Orissa post innings victory over Assam". Orisports. 30 December 1985.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Mullick to lead OCA Senior Men Selection Committee". Orisports. 26 November 2020.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help)
External links[edit | edit source]
- Somnath Sahoo at ESPNcricinfo
- Somnath Sahoo at Orisports