Shillong, Jan 2: Meghalaya recorded the sixth highest Ranji Trophy score in their plate group match against Sikkim in Bhubaneshwar on New Year’s Day, finally declaring on an incredible 826/7 after batting 171.4 overs.
However, waiting until Gurinder Singh reach his century (101 not out) ate up time that could have been used in trying to bowl out Sikkim and the match ended in a draw today.
“I’m unhappy at the decision to prolong declaration of the first innings on the third day, which led to a draw, thus depriving us of valuable points,” the Meghalaya Cricket Association’s Honorary Secretary Naba Bhattacharjee said. “Individual glory is great but not above greater interest of team Meghalaya,” he added.
Sikkim had made 219 all out in their first innings. By the end of the second day of the match Meghalaya had amassed 555/3, with Punit Bisht having hit a triple century.
Bisht would eventually be dismissed yesterday for 343 and he thus became the eighth highest scorer in the Ranji Trophy.
Apart from Bisht, there were also centuries for Raj Biswa (175), Yogesh Nagar (148) and Gurinder in Meghalaya’s massive innings, which was declared before tea yesterday.
Sikkim’s batsmen offered much stronger resistance in their second innings and lost only four wickets in their innings of 304 before close of play on the final day today.
Gurinder took 3/84, while Aditya Singhania bagged 1/31. With a first innings lead, Meghalaya earned three points, while Sikkim took one.
Meghalaya thus end their first season of the Ranji Trophy with four wins, two draws and two defeats.
U-19 COOCH BEHAR TROPHY
Meanwhile, Meghalaya were also involved in an U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy plate group match against Bihar.
Bihar, who had been put in to bat first, made 404 all out in their first innings. Meghalaya’s Abhishek took 5/89, with Sudhir Sahani bagging 4/117 and Aryan 1/95.
Meghalaya were then bowled out for 183 in their first innings, with Ankit Kumar Singh steering the side with an innings of 98.
Although they had a first innings lead of just 221 Bihar enforced the follow-on and this proved to be the right decision as they skittled Meghalaya for just 43 to win by an innings and 178 runs.
U-23 COL CK NAYUDU TROPHY
Finally, Meghalaya were also involved in an U-23 Col CK Nayudu Trophy plate group match against Puducherry at the MCA Cricket Ground here.
Meghalaya won the toss and chose to field and Puducherry made 276 all out, with Kartik Pawar turning in a fine performance with the ball to claim 8/89. Akash Kumar (1/57) and Md Nafees (1/67) were the other wicket-takers.
Meghalaya, however, were then bowled out twice for 68 and 115 following on, giving Puducherry victory by an innings and 93 runs.
