Shillong, Dec 21: Meghalaya won their fourth Ranji Trophy match here today by their biggest margin ever as they defeated Mizoram by an innings and 324 runs after tea on the second day at the MCA Cricket Ground.
Resuming the plate group match on 292/4 in response to Mizoram’s first innings total of 86, Meghalaya were eventually bowled out for 510 – the first time the team have scored more than 400 runs.
That gave the hosts a huge lead of 424 and they were able to bowl out Mizoram for 100 in their second innings.
Earlier guest/professional Yogesh Nagar, who was on 91 not out at stumps yesterday, added another 53 runs to his own total before being dismissed for 144 (20 fours). This was his third century of Meghalaya’s Ranji Trophy campaign.
Fellow guest/professional Gurinder Singh, for his part, fell agonisingly close to his own ton, when he was caught on 99 (11 fours). However, the pair had put on 199 for the fifth wicket to propel Meghalaya forwards to 384/5 when Gurinder was dismissed.
More runs were added by Aditya Singhania, who contributed a very welcome 60 runs off just 56 deliveries in an innings that included nine fours, while Dipu Sangma also made a handy 36 after coming in at number 10.
With a mammoth task in front of them, Mizoram set about trying to resist the hosts, but lost wickets regularly.
The spin of left-arm bowlers Gurinder and Singhania ensured the early end of Mizoram, with the last five wickets coming in just eight overs.
Gurinder took 6/41 in Mizoram’s second innings to give him match figures of 11/56, while Singhania took 3/31 today. Dipu Sangma also bagged a wicket to end with 1/15.
All four victories for Meghalaya have come against other North East states and they have one more to play against Sikkim in Bhubaneshwar from 30th December.
(Photo of Gurinder Singh bowling contributed by the Meghalaya Cricket Association)
