Shillong, Oct 13: Meghalaya took a first innings lead of 150 against Sikkim thanks to Jaskirat Singh Sachdeva’s terrific maiden first-class century on the third day of their Ranji Trophy 2026-26 plate group match in Rangpo, Sikkim, today.
Resuming on 238/5, with Jaskirat (pictured) on 33, Meghalaya knocked off the 7 additional runs they needed to equal Sikkim’s first innings total of 245/10 and then went from strength to strength, eventually getting out for 395. Sikkim were then 44/0 at stumps, trailing by 106.
Jaskirat, whose previous highest Ranji score was 82 against Tripura in Shillong in January 2025, batted brilliantly before eventually falling for 127 from 233 deliveries (11x4s, 1×6). He was dismissed by Sikkim guest professional player Kranthi Kumar, who took 5/71.
Earlier, Swastic Chettri was out for 73, adding just 1 run to his overnight score. PM Santhosh (34 from 151 balls) frustrated the Sikkim bowlers no end with his lower order resistance. The fast bowler played a hugely supportive role, allowing Jaskirat to produce the majority of the runs in a stand of exactly 100 for the eighth wicket. Once he fell, Aryan Bora chipped in with 17 and that took Meghalaya very close to the 400-run mark.
Sikkim had plenty of overs to bat in the day once they had dismissed the visitors and the pair of Nilesh Lamichaney and Arun Chettri batted extremely cautiously, each making 22 not out as the hosts crept to 44 for no loss from 28 overs before stumps. It was exactly what Sikkim needed to do but Megalaya’s bowlers will come hard at them on the fourth and final day tomorrow as they look to start the Ranji season with victory.
(Meghalaya Cricket Association file photo)
