By Our Reporter
Shillong, Jan 8: Meghalaya did not let a low first innings score prevent them from mounting a terrific comeback to seize the advantage over Sikkim at the end of the second day of their U-23 men’s Col CK Nayudu Trophy match on Monday.
Twenty-nine wickets have fallen over the first two days, with Meghalaya bowled for 113 in their first innings after the hosts won the toss at Rangpo in Sikkim on Sunday. Sikkim were then restricted to 91 all out before Meghalaya posted 370/9 in their second innings, giving them a lead of 392.
Conditions obviously favoured the bowlers on the first day and there was little to write home about from the first Meghalaya innings.
However, with the ball, the visitors were equally if not more devastating, with Abhishek Kumar striking with the very first delivery. He and Manish Sharma would end up sharing all 10 of Sikkim’s wickets – Manish ended with figures of 6/40 from 18 overs, while Abhishek netted 4/31 in 10.4.
Meghalaya’s second innings was dominated by Kevin Christopher’s 137 in the middle order but the team were given a solid platform by their openers, Mrinal Das and Nishanta Chakraborty.
Both would register half-centuries but in contrasting styles. Mrinal raced to 54 from 45 deliveries (11x4s) while Nishanta (59 from 101, 10x4s) played a supporting role at first before taking over the mantle following his partner’s dismissal.
The good work was carried on by captain Kevin, who struck his 137 from 172 deliveries, with 19 fours and the only six of the match so far. No. 9 batter PM Santhosh also contributed a handy 33 while Aryan Borah (14 not out) and Abhishek (11 not out) were still holding out in an unbeaten last wicket partnership of 24 at stumps.