Shillong, Dec 8: Gaurav Narleng (pictured) hit a second century in the U-19 men’s Cooch Behar Trophy 2025-26 plate group as Meghalaya posted 312 all out on the first day against Nagaland at the MCA Ground here today. At stumps Nagaland were 20/2, trailing by 292.
Narleng was out for 127, which came off just 129 deliveries. It was a sublime innings, though with a couple of moments of luck, and cemented his standing as one of the most successful run-getters this season; he was already in the Top 3 of the plate group before today and may even rise to the top after other players’ results are factored in.
Nagaland won the toss and chose to field first. Batting on the morning of the first day is usually tricky for any side and Meghalaya were reduced to 20/3 and then 73/4 before Narleng was joined at the crease by Angkit Tamang.
Narleng hit two sixes and as many as 20 fours in his rollicking innings but he had an extra life after being put down early on by Ravi Kumar Ram at mid-off – it should have been an easy catch but the visitors were a little sloppy in the field, with several chances going to ground over the course of the day.
On 88 in the last over before lunch, it appeared that Narleng would be cautious as he defended the first two deliveries. But it was at that moment that he launched himself and in successive balls he hit a six over midwicket, then a four and a two to bring up his century. The two runs, however, were a little fortuitous as Narleng skied the ball high in the air but in the end it fell harmlessly behind the bowler.
At lunch Meghalaya were 150/4 and such was Narleng’s domination that he accounted for two-thirds of all those runs.
He added a few more in the second session before falling to Medempok Pongeng (3/46), the most successful Nagaland bowler.
Angkit had played a supporting role up to this point and he continued in that role as Rudra Singh Rathor took up an attacking stance. Angkit was eventually dismissed for 52 (103 balls, 3x4s, 1×6) and Rudra for 58 (78 balls, 7x4s). The tail wagged a little longer, helped by more dropped catches and poor fielding, and the hosts were able to cross the 300-run mark.
That left around half an hour left in the day and Nagaland lost their two openers in the 9 overs that were played. Jesevilie Dzeyie was bowled by Narleng (1/5), while Tachuye Trakha was LBW to Mewankitbok Kharpuri (1/4).
(Meghalaya Cricket Association photo)