Ranji Trophy 2019-20 | Manipur, Chandigarh sniff first win, Imliwati Lemtur six-fer triggers Meghalaya collapse

Arunachal Pradesh, who were one of the 10 teams to not last the opening day, were further pegged back with a ruthless top-order display from Chandigarh. Opener Arslan Khan scored an unbeaten double century (233) at nearly a-run-a-ball, while Shivam Bhambri and skipper Manan Vohra tore into the Arunachal bowling with centuries coming at strike rates in excess of 110. Declaring at 503 for two, with a lead of 356 runs, Chandigarh picked up six Arunachal wickets in the rest of the day’s play — left-arm spinner Gurinder Singh with a four-fer — to wrap up the day in a commanding position.

Goa also strengthened their hold on the match against Sikkim, with twin centurions in the form of skipper Amit Verma and Snehal Suhas helping them post 436 for six (declared) after bowling Sikkim out for 136 on Day one. In reply, Sikkim had a shaky start, losing opener Bibek Diyali and No.3 batsman Bhusan Subba cheaply. They were 22 for two with wicket-keeper Ashish Thapa at the crease alongside Nilesh Lamichaney at stumps, still needing another 279 runs to make Goa bat again. 

Elsewhere, cameos throughout the lineup saw Puducherry — Paras Dogra top-scoring with 70 — establish a first-innings lead of 127 runs over Bihar on their home patch. Medium fast bowler Vivek Kumar registered a five-fer while skipper Ashutosh Aman chipped in with four wickets as well for the home side. In their second innings, Vinay Kumar triggered an early collapse as Bihar reached 61 for four at the end of play, still trailing Puducherry by 66 runs.