Shillong, Jan 29: Mizoram defeated Meghalaya by 191 runs on the fourth and final day of their Ranji Trophy plate group match in Anand, Gujarat, on Monday.
Chasing 316 for victory, Meghalaya were bowled out for 124. Mizoram declared their second innings on their overnight score of 237/9 and required 58.4 overs to dismiss their opponents.
To recap, Mizoram had scored 359 all out in the first innings to which Meghalaya responded with 281/10.
First innings centurion Raj Biswa was not among the runs on Monday and his team mates found it equally difficult against the Mizoram trio of KC Cariappa (4/48), Thankuma (3/34) and Mohit Jangra (2/36). Both Cariappa and Mohit are guest players and played vital roles in Mizoram’s victory. This season, in a historic move, the Meghalaya Cricket Association decided to rely only on state-domiciled players for the Ranji Trophy.
Arien Bonchang Sangma did his best to resist for as long as he could and was dismissed after facing 149 deliveries, which is the equivalent of 24.5 overs. His 26 was the top score of the Meghalaya second innings.
Two other batters managed to get into the twenties – No. 10 Dippu Ch Sangma (24 from 21 balls) and Jaskirat Singh Sachdeva (21 from 41).
Meghalaya have now had two wins and two defeats and will play their last group fixture against Sikkim at the latter’s home ground in Rangpo starting from February 2. Sikkim have also won two and lost two games, so this contest should be a well-fought one.
