By Our Reporter
Shillong, Dec 12: In a spectacular display of skill and precision, Apandanka Marak showcased his cricketing prowess with a phenomenal hat-trick against Arunachal Pradesh’s top-order batsmen in the U-16 boys’ Vijay Merchant Trophy held in Cuttack on Tuesday.
The action-packed day unfolded as Arunachal won the toss and chose to bat, managing only 116/10. Meghalaya’s Gaurav Jyoti Thakuria played a pivotal role, claiming six wickets.
Meghalaya responded strongly, posting 304 all out, fueled by Rudra Singh Rathore’s impressive 107.
As Arunachal began their second innings on Tuesday, they faced a formidable challenge, ending the day at 31/5, with Apandanka securing four wickets.
The highlight was Apandanka’s hat-trick, executed with precision over two overs. He dismissed Nabam Gania and Tana Hurka with the fifth and sixth balls of the innings, respectively. In the next over, he completed the hat-trick by sending Nabam Jenam back to the pavilion.
Apandanka’s stellar performance continued with another wicket, finishing with figures of 4/11 in 7 devastating overs, while Paisal Ali (1/11 in 6) claimed the remaining scalp.
In Monday’s play, Apandanka had claimed 3/43 in 13 overs, but the day belonged to Thakuria, who secured an impressive 6/23 in 11.2 overs, dismissing Arunachal for 116 in the 40th over. Meghalaya’s Mewankitbok M Kharpuri (1/16 in 7) also contributed to the bowling effort.
Thakuria, having dismissed the last two batters in the first innings off consecutive balls, is on the brink of a hat-trick when he bowls in Arunachal’s second innings.Meghalaya’s first innings saw a crucial partnership between Rudra and Gaurav Narleng, amassing 122 runs for the third wicket after Meghalaya was 49/2.
Rudra demonstrated patience, crafting his 107 from 273 deliveries, while Narleng contributed 67 from 142 deliveries.Contributions from Paisal (34 from 71) and Mewankitbok (25 from 84) further solidified Meghalaya’s position, surpassing the 300-run mark and establishing a commanding 188-run first-innings lead over their opponents.
As the U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy clash unfolds, Meghalaya finds itself in a commanding position, thanks to the stellar performances of Apandanka Marak, Gaurav Jyoti Thakuria, and the collective efforts of the team. Apandanka’s sensational
hat-trick has not only added a remarkable chapter to his cricketing journey but has also placed Meghalaya firmly in the driver’s seat against Arunachal Pradesh. With a substantial lead and a strong bowling performance, Meghalaya’s prospects in the tournament look promising.
As the players prepare for the next phase of the match, the resilience and skill displayed by the team indicate a potential triumph on the horizon.
The Vijay Merchant Trophy is a prestigious under-16 cricket tournament in India. Named after the legendary Indian cricketer Vijay Merchant.