Odisha’s middle and lower order produced a determined effort to deny Jharkhand a crucial first-innings lead as the fourth-round Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match ended in a draw at KIIT Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.Replying to Jharkhand’s 433/8 declared, Odisha were 280/7 in 88 overs when stumps were drawn on the final day, ensuring both teams earned a point each. Jharkhand, however, missed out on two valuable bonus points after failing to bowl out the hosts for a first-innings lead.The weather-hit opening day ultimately proved decisive. With only 25 overs possible because of rain and bad light on Day 1, Jharkhand were left with insufficient time and overs to ensure first-innings lead despite dominating large parts of the contest.Resuming at 23 without loss, Odisha suffered an early collapse as left-arm spinner Manishi struck twice in successive deliveries. Opener Gourav Choudhury departed for 14 before Sandeep Pattnaik fell for a golden duck, leaving the hosts at 36/2. Captain Subhranshu Senapati (12) and Ninad Rathva (21) also failed to convert their starts as Odisha slipped to 99/4.With Jharkhand sensing an opportunity to push for the crucial lead, opener Swastik Samal and Anil Parida dug in. Samal top-scored with a patient 80 off 127 balls, while Parida made 57 from 151 deliveries. Their 66-run fifth-wicket partnership steadied the innings and blunted Jharkhand’s hopes.Wicketkeeper-batter Rajesh Dhuper then played a vital role in Odisha’s rearguard action. The right-hander remained unbeaten on 39 from 132 balls despite briefly leaving the field with an injury when Odisha were 203/5. By the time he returned, the hosts had lost Parida and Rajesh Mohanty, who fell for a golden duck.With the game entering its final phase, Dhuper found support from Lalit Yadav (25 not out off 25 balls). The pair safely negotiated the last 10 overs to ensure Odisha avoided conceding a first-innings lead and denied Jharkhand the additional points.Jharkhand batter Aditya Singh was named Player of the Match for his first-innings century (104). Jharkhand are now sixth in the group with six points from four matches, while Odisha remain at the bottom with two points.Brief Scores: Jharkhand 433/8 decl. Odisha 280/7 (Swastik Samal 80, Anil Parida 57, Rajesh Dhuper 39; Pratyush Singh 3/58, Manishi 3/77). Match drawn.Points: Odisha 1, Jharkhand 1.