Dimapur, November 8 (MExN): Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy match between Nagaland and Sikkim saw a dominant performance from Nagaland’s bowlers, leaving Sikkim in a precarious position. With just three wickets remaining and trailing by 84 runs, Sikkim ended the day at 71/7 in their second innings, still needing another 84 runs to avoid an outright defeat.
The day began with Nagaland resuming their first innings at 222/3. By the end of the second session, Nagaland had been bowled out for 347 runs in 123 overs, setting Sikkim a target of 156 runs to take the lead.
In their second innings, Sikkim struggled to handle the relentless Nagaland bowling attack. Jagadeesha Suchith was the standout performer, claiming four wickets and dismantling Sikkim’s top and middle order. Dip Borah also played a crucial role in maintaining pressure, limiting Sikkim’s ability to build partnerships.
As the match nears its conclusion, Nagaland is in a strong position to secure a victory, with Sikkim still trailing by 84 runs and only three wickets remaining. The Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) is optimistic about the team’s prospects as they look to secure valuable points and improve their standing in the Plate Group.
Col C K Nayudu Trophy
The Col C K Nayudu Trophy match between Jammu & Kashmir and Nagaland got off to a strong start for the former, with Jammu & Kashmir finishing Day 1 at 351/4 in 86 overs. The team’s top-order batsmen put on an exceptional display, leaving Nagaland with a significant challenge ahead.
Jammu & Kashmir won the toss and opted to bat, capitalizing on favorable batting conditions. Qamran Iqbal played a blistering knock, scoring 96 runs off just 92 balls, setting the tone for a strong innings. Arnav Gupta anchored the middle order with an unbeaten 91* off 102 balls, ensuring the momentum continued throughout the day. Nagaland’s bowlers worked hard to contain the runs, but the partnerships from Iqbal and Gupta proved difficult to break. Anil Gupta was the pick of the Nagaland bowlers, claiming 1 wicket for 60 runs in his 18 overs, but his efforts were not enough to halt the scoring.
As the match heads into Day 2, Nagaland will need to regroup and strike early to limit Jammu & Kashmir’s total. The outcome of the match remains crucial for both teams as they vie for valuable points in the competition. Fans are encouraged to support Team Nagaland as they look to turn the tide in this pivotal encounter.
