Sikkim Trashed Manipur In Ranji Trophy

The first win of the season in Ranji Trophy came along the way of Sikkim in a match against Manipur on 29^th January at Vikash Cricket Ground, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. Sikkim won the match by 232 runs, earning 6 Point(s) for the win. With this win, Sikkim is standing with 10 Point(s) in the team standing table with one win and two draws.

The match was started on 27^th January with Manipur winning the toss and choosing to field first. Sikkim scored 169 runs in the first innings of which highest run was scored by Lee Yong Lepcha (45), as the Manipur had a good bowling line-up with Rex Singh taking 4 wickets, Thomas 3 wickets, Bishworjit 2 wickets, and Priyojit 1 wicket. It was the vital partnership between Palzor and Lee Yong of 69 runs that help Sikkim to a decent total. Thou, Sikkim had low total on the board but the bowlers showed a good game by restricting the opponent to just 91 runs and maintaining the lead of 78 runs in the first innings. Ishwar Chaudhary took a brilliant 6 wickets and well supported by Iqbal Abdullah who took 3 wickets. This was Ishwar’s 4^th five wickets haul of the season and he is standing in 8^th position of most wickets list of Ranji Trophy season 2019-20.

In the second innings, Sikkim made 266 runs, where Iqbal Abdullah scored 71 runs, Palzor Tamang (50), Ashish Thapa and Lee Yong Lepcha (25 each), Yashpal Singh (23), Padam Limboo (20), Bibek Diyali (16), Chitiz Tamang (9), Puran Giri (7) and Ishwar (4). Lee Yong remained not-out on 25 runs. The partnership of 105 runs between the skipper Palzor and Vice-Captain Iqbal was the turning point of the match where they took a good lead. Sikkim gave the target of 345 runs to Manipur with two days in hand but once again Sikkim bowlers bowled brilliantly. This time it was Captain Palzor Tamang who showed a great show by taking 6 wickets and becoming the first player from Sikkim to get a 5 wickets haul in the most prestigious trophy of India. He took 6 wickets in 13 overs. Ishwar and Iqbal took 2 wickets each and gave a reason to celebrate by winning the match with a huge margin.  Ishwar Chaudhary was announced The Man of The Match for his 8 wickets in the match and playing a vital role in the first innings and giving the team a lead.

“There is ability in the players from Sikkim to win the match with both bat and ball and it is a different feeling when the locals perform well and win the match. I am happy and honored to claim a 5 wickets haul and become the first player from Sikkim to do so in first-class cricket. Cricket is a team game and it would not have been possible for me to achieve this without the support of all my teammates, coach, trainer and support staff.” Says Captain Palzor Tamang.