By Our Reporter
Shillong, Dec 21: In a remarkable display of skill, Apandanka Marak secured yet another five-wicket haul, marking his third of the season, as the U-16 boys of Meghalaya continued their spirited Vijay Merchant Trophy campaign against Manipur on Thursday in Cuttack.
At the end of the first day’s play, Manipur stood at 233/9, holding a lead of 154 runs, following Meghalaya’s first-innings dismissal for a mere 79 runs.
Apandanka’s stellar performance included claiming the last five wickets, concluding the day with impressive figures of 5/43. Notably, he played a pivotal role in dismissing Manipur’s top scorer, Rain, who fell short of a century at 94. Even before this match, Apandanka ranked among the top three nationwide in terms of wickets, boasting 29 to his name.
Contributing to Meghalaya’s bowling success were Manthan Gupta (2/50), Gaurav Narleng (1/22), and Gaurav Jyoti Thakuria (1/64), the latter securing his place as the fifth-highest wicket-taker with 27 wickets.
In the earlier stages, Meghalaya won the toss and elected to bat first, facing a challenging situation as Narleng’s entertaining innings of 39 runs off 43 deliveries stood out amidst the struggle. Narleng’s innings accounted for half of Meghalaya’s 12 fours and the sole six of the team.
Despite his efforts and a brief recovery from the early setback at 11/2, Manipur’s persistent bowling prevented any substantial partnerships. Benedict Jones Makdoh was the only other Meghalayan to reach double figures, contributing 12 runs, all in fours, after coming in at No. 9. The upcoming days promise intense cricketing action, with both teams poised for a fierce battle in the pursuit of victory.
As the Vijay Merchant Trophy drama unfolds, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate more standout performances and thrilling moments on the field.
The Vijay Merchant Trophy is an Under-16 cricket tournament in India conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It is named after Vijay Merchant, a former Indian cricketer who is considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
The tournament was first held in 1973-74 and is currently played in two zones, East and West. The winners of each zone play in a final to determine the overall champion.
