Meghalaya captain Kishan Lyngdoh created history on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 Plate Group clash against Arunachal Pradesh. Lyngdoh became the first Meghalaya-domiciled player to score a double century in the Ranji Trophy. For Meghalaya, Punit Bisht had scored 343 against Sikkim in 2018 but he had earlier represented Delhi in domestic cricket.
From an overnight score of 68, Lyngdoh dominated the proceedings with Ram Gurung. Lyngdoh completed his century in the first session only before the drinks break. Before the lunch break, he was batting on 183. The mammoth third-wicket partnership was ended by Siddharth Balodi. Gurung scored 132 runs from 215 balls including 17 fours and a six. They shared a 326-run stand.
After Gurung's wicket, Lyngdoh reached his double century to create history. Meghalaya suffered a batting collapse as Techi Neri and Divyanshu Yadav picked up a couple of wickets each. But Arbin Singh took the defensive approach and provided support to Lyngdoh who looked to hit boundaries. He was heading towards triple century but was run out in the 129th over of the innings. His 268 off 308 balls was laced with 43 fours and a six.
Arbin remained unbeaten for 13 off 60 deliveries as Lyngdoh declared the innings after the ninth wicket. Meghalaya had a massive 410-run lead in the bag.
After getting bundled out for 94 in the first innings, Arunachal Pradesh did not get off to a promising start in the second innings. Openers Kumar Nyompu and Ayush Awasthi failed to get the side off to a good start. Dippu Sangma dismissed Nyompu in the sixth over. In the next over, centurion Gurung did damage with the ball taking the wicket of wicketkeeper-batter Awasthi.
Balodi and Rahul Popli ensured no more wickets fell in the last session. Balodi remained unbeaten for eight runs from 28 deliveries. Popli hit three boundaries to score 13 runs from 30 balls. Arunachal Pradesh were 57/2 at the end of the day's play trailing by 353 runs.
Meghalaya are likely to register a massive win by an innings and runs on Day 3 of their campaign opener.
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