Ranji Trophy: Nagaland takes narrow lead at stumps on day 2 against Sikkim in crucial match

Nagaland ended Day 2 with a narrow advantage in their ongoing clash with Sikkim, finishing at 194/2 in 66 overs, leading by just 2 runs after a thrilling day of cricket at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium in Sovima.

At the close of Day 2, Nagaland had slightly edged ahead, after dismissing Sikkim for 192 in 106 overs. The day saw a fantastic performance from Nagaland’s batting and bowling units, with both sides putting in commendable efforts.

Dega Nischal’s brilliant century was the standout performance of the day. The Nagaland batsman finished unbeaten on 103 runs off 168 balls. His patient knock provided the backbone to Nagaland’s response to Sikkim’s first innings total. Nischal’s resilience and technical skill were on full display, anchoring the innings and putting Nagaland in a strong position. His partnership with Hem Chetri, who remained unbeaten on 59 off 124 balls, added crucial runs and ensured that Nagaland ended the day ahead.

On the bowling front, Dip Borah was exceptional for Nagaland, claiming a match-changing 5 wickets for 49 runs in just 13 overs. Borah’s brilliant spell played a pivotal role in restricting Sikkim to 192 runs. His timely breakthroughs dismantled the Sikkim batting line-up, and his efforts were key to giving Nagaland the upper hand heading into the second innings. Jagadeesha Suchith and Jonathan Rongsen also contributed with 2 wickets each, supporting Borah in limiting Sikkim’s total.

Sikkim’s response with the ball saw Ankur Malik and Lee Yong Lepcha putting in solid spells. Malik was the most consistent bowler for Sikkim, finishing with 1 wicket for 50 runs in 22 overs, but he was unable to break the growing partnership between Nischal and Chetri. Captain Lee Yong Lepcha also claimed 1 wicket for 58 runs in 16 overs but struggled to break through the Nagaland resistance.

With Nagaland now holding a slight lead of 2 runs and still having 8 wickets in hand, they will aim to consolidate their position on Day 3. Sikkim, on the other hand, will need quick breakthroughs to stay in the contest and stay competitive in this tight match.

As both teams look forward to Day 3, the match remains finely poised, with Nagaland in a marginal lead but Sikkim still very much in the hunt. The outcome of the game will likely depend on how each team capitalizes on their strengths in the coming days.

MT