Uttarakhand left-arm spinners Mayank Mishra and Swapnil Singh preyed on Nagaland batters as they were bundled out for a paltry 25 on their homeground on Day 4 of the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 clash. As many as seven batters registered ducks as Hokaito Zhimomi-led Nagaland could survive for only 18 overs in the fourth innings.
Defending a target of 200, Uttarakhand skipper Jiwanjot Singh decided to go with spinners right away with the new ball on a Day 4 pitch. The first one to fall was opener Yugandhar Singh as he got run out in the first over itself. He had scored 73 runs in the first innings. Mayank Mishra then got rid of Shrikant Mundhe in his third over. Mundhe had played a patient knock of 161 in the first innings and stitched partnerships till the ninth wicket to help Nagaland post 389 and take a 107-run lead.
Things took a turn for worse when Nagaland lost three wickets within eight deliveries. Swapnil and Mayank continued the onslaught and Nagaland lost six wickets for just eight runs. There was a ray of hope when tailenders decided to hit a few boundaries but that did not make much of an impact. Nagaland got all out in 18 overs.
Mayank picked up a fifer in nine overs he bowled including seven maidens. His partner-in-demolition, Swapnil bowled nine overs including five maidens and took four wickets.
Uttarakhand won the match by 174 runs. Earlier, the visitors posted 306/7 before declaring in the second innings. Opener Priyanshu Khanduri (73) and Swapnil (88) scored half-centuries as Uttarakhand recovered after trailing by 107 runs.
In the first innings, Uttarakhand top-order batter Kunal Chandela scored 92 runs whereas Dikshanshu Negi (83) and Akhil Rawat scored half-centuries to help their side post 282.
