Thrilling Clash: Bengal Dominates as M’laya Crumbles at 133 – A Nail-Biting Day 1 Showdown!
On January 25, history was made in Tura as the picturesque Alotgre stadium hosted its first national-level cricket match. The U-23 cricket team from Meghalaya faced Bengal in a game that proved to be a significant learning experience for the hosts. The day commenced with a felicitation ceremony for the guest players and coaching staff before the match began at 8:30 AM. Bengal, anticipating the overcast conditions and potential early pitch advantages, opted to bowl first.
Meghalaya’s innings opened with a flicker of promise from their openers, particularly Tunon Marak, who also handled wicketkeeping duties. However, Bengal’s disciplined bowling attack, led by pacer Ravi Kumar and a formidable array of spinners, quickly stifled the hosts. Marak’s innings ended at 17 with a defensive misstep against Kumar. Meghalaya struggled against Bengal’s spin quartet led by Rahul Prasad who claimed 4 wickets with his turning off-spin, while Prayas Ray Barman added two more. The Meghalaya batters frequently lost momentum, with Kush Agarwala top-scoring at 29 before his dismissal by Prasad.
The team was bowled out for a modest 133 in 63.1 overs, a scoreline marred by five dismissals of batsmen who started strongly only to lose their wickets cheaply. Bengal began their innings on a shaky note, losing opener Suman Nag for no score. Despite pressure from Meghalaya’s bowler Manish, counter-aggressive plays by Prayas Ray Barman and Rishabh Chaudhury helped stabilize Bengal.
By the end of Day 1, Bengal closed in at 116/4, trailing by just 17 runs, with considerable room to advance across the remaining days. As the match progresses, much rides on Meghalaya’s ability to strike early on the next morning. A larger audience is anticipated for Sunday’s play, following Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s expected visit.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/01/26/mlaya-shot-out-for-133-bengal-trail-by-17-runs-on-day-1/
Category : SPORTS
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Publish Date: 2025-01-26 03:35:00
