Shillong, Dec 29: The inaugural day of the U-19 men’s Cooch Behar Trophy plate group final, pitting Meghalaya against Nagaland, concluded with a balanced display as Nagaland reached 252/7 at stumps.
Despite winning the toss at Sovima, hosts Nagaland faced an early setback as Meghalaya swiftly dismissed both openers without a run on the board. Nagaland struggled at 27/3 before staging a recovery.
Yugandhar (55), Seyievizo Zaputou (77 not out), Samir Ali (48), and the tailenders played crucial roles in forming resilient partnerships, enabling Nagaland to gain an advantage as the day progressed. However, Meghalaya managed to claim wickets at regular intervals.
Avinash Rai emerged as the most successful bowler for the visitors, securing figures of 2/27 in 11 overs. Angkit Tamang (2/42 in 24) and Shavian Blah (2/46 in 17) also contributed with two wickets each.
As the focus shifts to the second day, Zaputou becomes a pivotal wicket, and Meghalaya aims to restrict Nagaland from reaching the 300-run mark.
In the round-robin stage, Meghalaya had suffered a defeat against Nagaland at home. However, they bounced back with victories in subsequent matches, including a triumph over Arunachal Pradesh before Christmas. Nagaland secured their spot in the final by overcoming Sikkim in the semifinals.
The battle for the Cooch Behar Trophy title promises an exciting contest as both teams strive for U-19 supremacy. As the U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy plate group final enters its second day, the balance between Meghalaya and Nagaland hangs in the air. With Nagaland setting a target of 252/7, the contest is delicately poised, and every run and wicket will play a crucial role in determining the eventual winner. The performances of key players, especially Seyievizo Zaputou, will be closely watched as Meghalaya aims to continue their winning streak and overturn the earlier defeat to Nagaland in the round-robin stage. The cricket enthusiasts await an intense battle on the field as the two teams strive to etch their names in the annals of U-19 cricket history.
The Cooch Behar Trophy is India’s prestigious national four-day cricket tournament for Under-19 players. It’s been a breeding ground for young talent since its inception in the 1945-46 season and is run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The trophy is named after Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayana Bhup Bahadur, ruler of the Cooch Behar State.
The tournament has produced numerous international cricketers, including Yuvraj Singh, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and many more.In its prime, the Cooch Behar Trophy was considered second only to the Ranji Trophy in importance for aspiring cricketers.With the emergence of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the tournament’s status has seen some decline, though it remains a crucial platform for young talents to showcase their skills.
