Ranji Trophy: Tight Nagaland bowling restrict Bihar to 150

Nagaland

22nd December 2018

Trail by 49 runs at stumps on Day - 1

Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 22

A tight bowling from Rachit Bhatia saw Nagaland restrict Bihar to 150 runs in their Plate Group Ranji Trophy encounter at Moin-ul-Haq Stadium, Patna on December 22.

Bhatia took 6 wickets in his 16.1 over giving away 44 runs at a miserly economy rate of just 2.72 runs.

Spinner Abrar Kazi amply complemented him taking two wickets in 16 over spell at an economy rate of 2.50 runs. Arun too took two wickets.

Earlier, playing their 6th Ranji match, Nagaland won the toss and opted to field which proved to be wise decision as the team’s bowlers managed to scalp their opponent’ wickets at regular interval.

At one stage, Bihar was tottering at 89/9, but they were rescued by the tailenders, who gave a tough fight.

Harsh Singh, the number 10 batsman on Bihar’s roster was the highest scorer with a respectable unbeaten 48 runs. He was followed by Samar Quadri, the ninth batsman who scored 20 runs.

The partnership resulted in crucial 61 runs, before it finally ended at 46.1 over when Bhatia took Quadri’s wicket.

In reply, Nagaland too lost some early wickets, and hovering at 61/3 at the end of 3rd Session.

In the last session, they were more in control losing just one wicket in the process. At stumps on Day-1, Nagaland were 101/4, trailing Bihar by 49 runs.
The team captain Rongsen Jonathan was batting at 18 with Imliwati Lemtur on the other end on 4 runs.

Earlier, Hokaito Zhimomi, Paras Sehrawat and Abrar Kazi made 21, 27, and 28 respectively for Nagaland.

Nagaland’s Ranji journey so far

Out of five matches so far, Nagaland has 1 win, 1 draw and three losses.

Making a spectacular debut, Nagaland registered a thumping victory over fellow debutant Mizoram by an innings and 333 runs with a day to spare in its first Ranji Trophy in November.

However, the team lost steam afterwards suffering consecutive defeats against Sikkim, Meghalaya and Manipur.

Nagaland managed to secure a draw on the fifth match against Uttarakhand from December 14-17.

For their 7th match Nagaland will host Arunachal Pradesh at Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Sovima, Dimapur from December 30, 2018 to January 2, 2019.

Nagaland’s last encounter for the season is against Puducherry from January 7-10, 2019 at Cricket Association Puducherry Siechem Ground, Puducherry.

After 5 matches, Nagaland is currently on 7th position out of 9 teams in the Plate Group with Uttarakhand leading the table, closely followed by Meghalaya. (See table)

For 2018-19 season, there are 28 teams divided into three groups A, B and C representing the Elite Group while nine new entrants form the Plate Group.

Table toppers of the Plate Division will qualify for the quarter-finals starting January 15 and gain promotion to Group C while the bottom-placed Group C team will be relegated to Plate Group.