Shillong, Oct 29: Meghalaya turned in a good spelling of bowling to dismiss Mizoram and take a first innings lead in their drawn Ranji Trophy 2026-27 plate group match in Nadiad, Gujarat, today.
On a flat track that favoured the batters, Abhishek Kumar (pictured left) took 5/95 in 38 overs, his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. In response to Meghalaya’s massive first innings score of 562 all out, Mizoram were dismissed today for 430. Meghalaya then finished the fourth and final day on 60/2.
Although the game was drawn, Meghalaya received 3 points to Mizoram’s 1 because of the first innings lead.
Mizoram resumed play today on 350/5, with a draw a near certainty. The only real question was whether they would be able to overhaul Meghalaya’s formidable score.
Starting the morning on 70 not out, Joseph Lalthankhuma was run out by Kishan Lyngdoh for 95, while Khiangte Vanrotlinga was bowled by Abhishek for 66. The tail-enders did not offer much resistance and Mizoram were dismissed after adding just 80 runs to the overnight score.
They had batted for 168.2 overs (31 more than Meghalaya’s 137.2) spread across three days. It was a tiring experience for Meghalaya in the field but they persisted until the job was done. Apart from Abhishek, Aryan Bora scalped 3/81 in 47.2 overs, while Bipin Ray took 1/123 in 47 on debut.
For what was his first double century, Meghalaya guest player Ajay Duhan (239) (pictured right) was named Player of the Match. It was he and Kishan (198) who steered Meghalaya to their huge first innings total that helped the team earn 3 points.
Meghalaya will now return home to face Nagaland from 2 November in Shillong.
(Photos contributed)
