Orissa took firm control of the match at the end of Day 3 as they bunded hosts Punjab cheaply and then took a 302 run lead on Thursday.
The insipid Punjab batting continued. Perhaps it was a tall order for the tailenders to achieve but they hung around enough to add 33 runs to their overnight total before being bowled out for 177.
Gagandeep and Love Ablish were both send back to pavilion by Basant Mohanty as the pacer added two more wickets to his overnight tally to finish with 6 for 65. Sitting pretty on a 106 runs lead, Orissa started their second innings, aware of their chance of an outright win.
A string of partnership developed between keeper Halhadar Das and tailenders as Orissa reached 196 for eight at stumps. Halhadar Das and Basant Mohanty were was batting on 39 and 11 runs, respectively.
The task is now cut out for the hosts, they will have to bat to survive on the fourth day and force a draw for one point.
Brief Scores: Orissa 283 & 196-8 (S Sahoo 62, H Das batting 39; Ablish 5-54, Gony 2-63) vs Punjab 177 all out.