SHILLONG, Dec 9: Holding their nerve when it mattered most, Meghalaya snatched a one-run victory in a sensational contest against Bihar in the Plate Group of the Vijay Hazare Trophy one day tournament in Jaipur today.
Having put to bat first on a challenging track, led by Chirag Khurana’s unbeaten 117 Meghalaya posted 273/5 in 50 overs and then bowled out Bihar for 272 off the final delivery.
“It was a great game. Great performances by our players to ensure that we ended up on the right side today,” Meghalaya skipper Punit Bisht told The Shillong Times. “Our batters were really good, tackling tricky situation in the morning. Our bowling was tight and the fielding today was outstanding. It is the best fielding so far my Meghalaya that I have seen,” added Bisht.
Five of the Bihar batters were run out as they scampered towards the stiff target set by Meghalaya.
Bihar batter S Gani (94) took his team closer to victory but fell to the bowling of Akash Kumar Chaudhary, who had him caught by Dippu Sangma. At that stage Bihar needed another 20 to win from 14 balls. Sixteen runs came off the next 11 deliveries, leaving four required off three but two further run outs left Bihar stranded.
For Meghalaya Dippu (1/41), Khurana (1/43), Ram Gurung (1/44), Chengkam Sangma (1/47) and Chaudhary (1/51) claimed a wicket each. Two of the run outs were effected by Kishan Lyngdoh, with Dippu, Lerry Sangma and Ravi Teja accounting for one each.
Earlier, Khurana carried his bat in an unbeaten 117 off 120 deliveries, his second century in consecutive days. He was involved in a 62-run opening stand with Lyngdoh (31) and a partnership of 144 for the third wicket with Bisht (75 off 79 balls).
“I am happy that I’m able to perform for the team. However, today it is all about the team’s fielding. Getting the crucial run outs at crunch situations really showed the character of the side,” a Khurana told The Shillong Times.
