Ranji Trophy: Ram stars with 6-wicket haul; Akash takes 10 in match as M’laya blitz Nagaland

There was further success for Akash Kumar Choudhury, who completed a phenomenal match haul of 10/79 – he bagged 3/39 today to go along with his 7/40 on Friday.

Earlier, there was an innings of note with the bat as young Jaskirat Singh Sachdeva struck 75 from 124 balls in Meghalaya’s only innings. Both he and Ram are playing in their first season of the Ranji Trophy and these are their best performances at first-class level.

To recap, Nagaland had been shot out for just 72 on the first day on Friday and the hosts had responded with 196/7 at stumps. Today, Meghalaya added a further 108 runs to finish on 304 all out, giving them a huge lead of 232. Nagaland were then bowled out in less than two sessions for 104 in their second innings.

Jaskirat played a measured innings without taking too many risks. He found the gaps and ran plenty of ones and twos as well as hitting eight fours. He was given good company by Akash (20 not out from 87 balls) and the two did exactly what was required for Meghalaya to build up a big first innings lead.

When Nagaland batted first yesterday, they did so after losing the toss and the Meghalaya bowlers made full use of what the conditions had to offer to demolish the visitors.

Nagaland’s second innings, though, began today afternoon and batting seemed to be a little easier for them. There were a few edges off the bat early on but the two openers looked much surer of themselves.

However, there was just too much to do and Meghalaya were hungry for the win. Akash got the breakthrough in the sixth over of the innings and while Nagaland were able to then reach 52/2, they then lost their remaining eight wickets for another 52 runs, largely thanks to Ram and also to Lerry Sangma, who held on to three catches in the slips. Tarique Siddique also pulled off a blinder of a catch late in the game and the fielding was generally of high quality.

By the time of Nagaland’s last partnership, Akash had claimed two wickets and needed another to get to the 10-in-a-match milestone. Whether that was on his mind or not, he was the consummate team player urging on his team mates, whether it be Ram or Dippu Sangma (1/17), to get the last man out and wrap up the win for Meghalaya.

In the end, it was Akash who had that honour, with a short sharp ball coming off the shoulder of Nagaho’s bat and plopping into the safe hands of Swarajeet Das. The fast bowler was recognised for his terrific feat of bowling, especially impressive as this was his first game back from injury, and he was named Player of the Match.

Meghalaya will next take on Mizoram from 26 January at Anand, Gujarat.