Shillong, Oct 14: Sikkim dug deep to hold out for a draw against Meghalaya on the fourth and final day of their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 plate group match in Rangpo, Sikkim, today.
Resuming on 44/0, 106 runs away from making Meghalaya bat again, the hosts finished on 291/7, ensuring that the game ended in a draw. Meghalaya received 3 points and Sikkim 1 based on the visitors’ first innings lead.
To recap, Sikkim made 245 in their first innings to which Meghalaya responded with 395.
Fast bowler Abhishek Kumar (3/63) was the danger man early today, as he removed the first three batters to leave Sikkim on 67/3. However, Parth Palawat (66) and Gurinder Singh (100 not out) put on 109 for the fourth wicket to forestall chances of a collapse.
Gurinder, who previously played for Meghalaya as a guest player, was vital in Sikkim’s resistance and he held on until the close of play.
Ram Gurung, who took 5/32 in the first innings, bagged 2/40 in the second and was named Player of the Match. His match figures of 7/72 are his best in first-class cricket. Also in the running for the award would have been Meghalaya’s Jaskirat Singh Sachdeva, who hit 127 – his maiden Ranji century – yesterday.
Meghalaya’s next match is scheduled for 18th to 21st October in Shillong against Manipur.
(Photo contributed)
