Shillong, Dec 9: Meghalaya are in control of their U-19 men’s Cooch Behar Trophy 2025-26 plate group match as they lead Nagaland by 284 at stumps on the second day at the MCA Ground here today.
Sameer Choudhury was responsible for much of Meghalaya’s success as he claimed phenomenal figures of 6/40.
Nagaland resumed their first innings on 20/2 and were dismissed for 165 less than half an hour after lunch. That was just enough to avoid the follow-on but it did give Meghalaya a first innings lead of 147. Meghalaya were then 137/5 at the close of play.
The visitors tried to wait out the early period of the day when moisture in the pitch can lead to movement off the surface. They did manage to survive 10 overs before Yashimeren Jamir was out to Gaurav Narleng (2/22) for 6 made from 51 deliveries.
Solid resistance came from Shyerinlo Thong, who made 41 from 104. Further down the order was Vizoletuo Zhale (35 from 38), whose crucial 39-run partnership with Amongti Longkumer (13 not out from 25) helped Nagaland avoid the follow-on. The two came together when Nagaland were 116/8 and Meghalaya would have surely considered making the visitors bat again if the partnership could have been broken early.
For Meghalaya, Sameer took the wickets of both Shyerinlo and Vizoletuo plus those of another four batters in just 13.2 overs. Apart from Narleng, Gaurav Jyoti Thakuria (1/31) and Mewankitbok Kharpuri (1/50) took the other wickets for Meghalaya.
Nagaland’s catching and fielding were improved today and Meghalaya’s second innings suffered. Three batters got out in the 20s – first innings centurion Narleng (25), Dipayan Nandi (24) and Sameer (23). Thakuria was not out at the end on 22 in the company of Rudra Singh Rathor (14 not out).
Medempok Pongen, who bagged 3/46 yesterday, was the pick of the Nagaland bowlers once again with figures of 4/29. He took his first wicket in the very first over he bowled today and he continued to be a danger throughout.
Nagaland’s hopes rest on getting the remaining batters out quickly tomorrow while Meghalaya must stay resolute and not let their opponents back into the contest.
(Meghalaya Cricket Association photo. Meghalaya’s Gaurav Jyoti Thakuria plays a shot on the off side)
