Shillong, Oct 21: Meghalaya prevailed in an arduous battle against Manipur by just 3 runs to win a thrilling Ranji Trophy 2026-27 plate group match at the MCA Ground here today. This was Meghalaya’s first win of the season after drawing with Sikkim last week.
Chasing 276 for victory, the game swung between the two teams on the fourth and final day until Abhishek Kumar (3/64) had Manipur’s Rajkumar Singh caught for 51, with the visitors all out for 272.
The match began on 18th October when Manipur won the toss and chose to field first.
Kevin Christopher made a century in only his second first-class match (and first on home turf), hitting 110 in a near-flawless innings of 125 deliveries. He made 147 in the opening partnership with Arpit Bhatewara, who made 54 (81 balls, 8x4s, 1×6). Swastic Chettri, not out overnight on 63, was dismissed for 84 (130 balls, 12x4s) on the second day as Meghalaya finished their first innings on 380.
Manipur were 173/2 at stumps on the second day but the third day, yesterday, belonged to the bowlers as 18 wickets fell.
The visitors were knocked out for 277, giving Meghalaya a first innings lead of 103. All 10 Manipur wickets were taken by pace bowlers – Abhishek Kumar (4/60), PM Santhosh (3/69) and Ram Gurung (3/78). However, Meghalaya were unable to bat out the opposition as they were dismissed for 172 in their second innings, which set Manipur 276 to win.
Resuming today on 11/0, Manipur lost Bashid Muhammed for 27 through the bowling of Santhosh (1/54) but then added 54 for the second wicket thanks to Ronald Longjam (43) and Karnajit Yumnam (53).
Manipur were ticking along nicely until the introduction of spin through Swastic (1/5) and Kevin (3/31) led to crucial breakthroughs.
That exposed the middle order but Manipur put on another 50 for the sixth wicket on the back of Jotin Pheiroijam (43) and Rajkumar. The former’s dismissal to Abhishek Kumar (3/64) led to a mini collapse, as the visitors were reduced to 226/9, losing four wickets for 28 runs, with two of these scalps claimed by Aryan Bora (2/59).
Rajkumar tried to knock off the remaining runs, with No. 11 Bishworjit Konthoujam (8 not out) providing him company at the other end but the valiant efforts of the Manipur player ended as he was caught by Ajay Duhan off Abhishek’s bowling.
For his excellent century and three wickets with the ball, Kevin was named Player of the Match.
Meghalaya, who lead the plate group with 9 points, will now travel to Nadiad, Gujarat, to face fourth-placed Mizoram from 26th October.
(File photo)