Shillong, Oct 26: Classy centuries by Arpit Bhatewara (featured photo) and Kishan Lyngdoh gave Meghalaya a solid platform for the host team to aim for a massive first innings total as they posted 271/2 at stumps on the second day of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 plate group match against Sikkim at the MCA Ground here today.
At close of play Arpit was 132 not out and Kishan unbeaten on 102. Meghalaya are now just 75 runs behind Sikkim’s impressive first innings total of 346 all out.
The two are involved in an unbroken third wicket partnership that is going strong at 212 runs now. Arpit and Kishan came together in the middle at 59/2 after Arien Bonchang Sangma (16) and Ajay Duhan (4) had been dismissed by Sikkim’s Kranthi Kumar (1/62) and Palzor Tamang (1/44) and batted for the rest of the day.
They went at a good clip, scoring at almost 4 runs an over until the last hour of play, when they hunkered down looking to preserve their wickets and ensure that they were there at the start of the third day.
Although there were a few nervy moments, both Arpit and Kishan batted assuredly, rotating the strike nicely with plenty of ones and twos, along with several hits to the fence – 17 in the case of Arpit and 12 for Meghalaya’s captain.
Arpit struck a boundary to bring up his century, his maiden ton in first-class cricket, while Kishan reached the milestone just before stumps – this is his third Ranji hundred.
“It was a true exhibition of character and commitment by both Kishan and Arpit,” Meghalaya Cricket Association President Nababrata Bhattacharjee said. “I’m happy that Kishan has finally emerged from the bad patch of last season. I spoke to him several times to have patience and belief in his ability as form is temporary and class and ability is permanent.”
Earlier, Sikkim batted just 9 overs in the morning before being dismissed for 346. Resuming on 310/6, the visitors lost Kranthi for 95 LBW to Dippu Sangma. Akash Chaudhary (5/85) removed Palzor for 17 to claim his fifth scalp of the innings, while Dippu, who went wicket-less yesterday, bagged two more to finish with figures of 3/72.
