Shillong, Oct 11: Fast bowler Ram Gurung (pictured) took 5/32 as Meghalaya bowled out Sikkim for 245 on the first day of their opening match of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 plate group season in Rangpo, Sikkim, today.
Meghalaya won the toss and chose to field first and the decision paid off as they reduced the hosts to 18/4, through the efforts of Ram and young pacers PM Santhosh and Abhishek Kumar. Santhosh is making his senior team debut, having been given the honor by the Meghalaya Cricket Association following his excellent performances in junior grade cricket in past years.
One of the first four wickets to fall was that of Gurinder Singh, a former professional player for Meghalaya who now plays for Sikkim. He was removed for a duck by Santhosh.
Sikkim did see a middle and lower order revival that took them to 245 in 80.5 overs. Their top score was 45 by another professional, Satyajeet Bachhav.
Satyajeet was dismissed by Ram, who kept running in tirelessly, bowling 14.5 overs for his second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. He got his fifth with a catch off his own bowling, making the moment all the more sweet.
Santhosh managed 2/38 on debut, while Abhishek, who is making his return to the senior team after three years, bagged 2/58. Left-arm spinner Aryan Bora took the other wicket, finishing with figures of 1/76 from 27 overs.
Meghalaya had to face a tricky 1 over before stumps and this was seen off by Arpit Bhatewara and Kevin Christopher, the latter who is also making his debut. Each batter got a run, with Meghalaya on 2/0 at the close.
(File photo)
