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

12/10/2019

At stumps on Day two, Manipur require just 66 runs for victory over Mizoram, while Chandigarh need four more wickets to register an innings-win over Arunachal Pradesh. Elsewhere, a six-fer from Imliwati Lemtur saw Meghalaya collapse to 89 for nine while holding a 238-run lead in the Plate Group.

Resuming from their overnight score of 255 for seven, Manipur added 34 runs in nine overs before their first innings ended at 289 all-out, establishing a mammoth 224-run lead. However, a determined show from Mizoram, led by Lalhruaizela’s 60 and captain KB Pawan’s century, prevented a collapse like that of the previous day. Rex Singh, Mizoram’s chief destroyer with eight for 22 on Day one, added two more wickets to his kitty to complete his ten-fer to go with a 65 with the bat. Despite the top-order resistance, the rest of the batting order failed to follow suit as Mizoram were eventually bowled out for 290 at stumps. Manipur now requires only 66 runs to clinch victory with two full days of play left.

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.

Meghalaya only added 17 runs to their overnight score of 268 for nine, before a stunning nine for 52 from Sanjay Yadav saw them bowl Nagaland out for just 136 runs. However, Meghalaya skipper Puneet Bisht chose not to capitalize on his red-hot left-arm spinner and opted to bat again. His decision was proven wrong by another Nagaland’s left-arm spinner Lemtur, who snapped up six wickets for 32 runs. Meghalaya ended the day’s play at 89 for nine, still having a 238-run lead over their opposition.

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.