Shillong, Nov 19: Meghalaya put on a completely dominant performance to win the final of the BCCI’s State A Trophy 2025-26 plate group against Mizoram by a whopping 136 runs in Mohali on Wednesday.
The Meghalaya U-23 men’s team have been perfect throughout the tournament, winning all five group games plus the final and have justifiably secured a place in the elite group next season.
Words of congratulations were sent in from Meghalaya Cricket Association President Nababrata Bhattacharjee and Honorary Secretary Rayonald Kharkamni on behalf of the MCA for a job well done.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Meghalaya raced to a commanding total of 307/7 in their allotted 50 overs, riding on the back of Pushkar Raj Singh’s 105 not out. Mizoram were always behind the required run rate and lost wickets in two major clusters to be bowled out for just 171 in 43 overs.
Centurion in the last match, Dipankar Baruah, had another good knock with 51 at the top of the order, with five fours in his 78-ball innings. He had Shavian Blah for company from the second over onwards and together they put on 104 for the second wicket. Shavian swatted the Mizoram bowlers for nine fours and five sixes in his rapid 76 from 54 balls.
Shavian was bowled by Sahil Sharma (2/61), but Dipankar carried on building up Meghalaya’s total in partnership with Pushkar, and the pair made a further 81 for the third wicket until Dipankar was dismissed by Nasib (3/59). Pushkar had not been required to bat much before today’s game, but that did not perturb him as he compiled a really big innings – in all, he faced 115 deliveries for his 105 not out, with 11 fours and a strike rate of 91.30.
That helped Meghalaya to an excellent total, to which Mizoram found it hard to adequately respond to.
They were reasonably placed at 115/2 in 25 overs but lost four wickets for the addition of just 11 runs to slump to 126/6, including their top scorer Tetea (41). The run rate suffered during this time and the final nail in the coffin saw them lose their last four wickets for 6 runs.
Pace and spin both yielded wickets for Meghalaya, with Manish Sharma taking 3/30 and Shavian 3/51. Pushkar (2/13) and Gavineal Marpna (2/22) both bagged a brace each as well.
Dipankar, who was promoted from the U-19 team this season, finished as the second-highest run scorer in the tournament with 254 in six innings. In the bowling department, Manish and Shavian both claimed 11 wickets for the joint third-highest, while Gavineal was fifth with 10.
Overall, Meghalaya – led by coach Neetesh Sharma and assistant coach Shiva R Sangma – can be thrilled with the nature of their success, which has owed to the collective effort that stands the state in good stead for the seasons to come. Credit also has to go to the other support staff who accompanied the players – Emidao Dhar (physio), Skhembor Khongbtep (trainer) and Wonderful E Pakyntein (manager).
