Shillong, Feb 19: Raj Biswa hit a century to remember for Meghalaya on the third day of the Ranji Trophy Plate Group final against Hyderabad at the latter’s home ground on Monday.
To recap, Meghalaya had made 304 in their first innings to which Hyderabad had responded with 350. On Monday, Meghalaya were dismissed for 243 in their second innings, giving the hosts a target of 198 to win. At stumps, Hyderabad were 71/1, needing another 127 to win.
Raj was at his epic best, hitting 11 fours and four sixes in a 114-ball innings. He was dismissed for exactly 100 by Rishab Baslas, the only bowler to have given him difficulty. On the other hand, his favourite bowler was Hyderabad’s biggest weapon, Tanay Thyagarajan. Raj hit him for 55 from 50 balls, with all four of his sixes coming against the bowler who dismissed five Meghalaya batters.
This was Raj’s second ton of the season, after he struck a century against Mizoram last month. He had also made 64 on Saturday in the first innings.
Although many other team mates were out rather cheaply, Raj found excellent support from Jaskirat Singh Sachdeva, who hit 81 from 157 balls (10x4s, 2x6s). Together they put on 102 for the fourth wicket, which gave their side plenty of hope.
The target was under 200 but there was enough to keep Meghalaya’s bowlers interested. Chengkam Sangma knocked over Tanmay Agarwal before stumps for a duck but Rahul Singh Gahlaut clattered 50 not out from 29 deliveries to take Hyderabad to 71/1 by the close of play.
Incidentally, in the first innings, Meghalaya became the only state to bowl out Hyderabad this season and they will look to do the same again on Tueday.
