Dimapur, November 16 (MExN): Nagaland has booked their place in the final of the Plate Group in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 after their match against Mizoram ended in a draw at the Gokulbhai Somabhai Patel Stadium, Nadiad, held from November 13-16.
Nagaland earned three points from the match, finishing in the top two of the Plate Group standings, and will face Goa in the final scheduled for January. The winner of the final will secure promotion to the Elite Group.
Batting first, Nagaland posted a monumental total of 736/7 before declaring their first innings. Chetan Bist’s record-breaking performance anchored the innings, while Nischal Dega contributed a brilliant 145 runs.
In response, Mizoram managed 393 in their first innings, recovering from two early losses. Agni Chopra’s 146 off 152 balls and Mohit Jangra’s unbeaten 93 were pivotal in saving the follow-on.
In their second innings, Nagaland declared at 197/1, with Dega scoring another century, this time unbeaten, supported by a steady 47 runs from Sedezhalie Rupero. Dega’s performance elevated him to the second-highest run-scorer of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, amassing 815 runs, including three centuries.
Col C K Nayudu Trophy
In the Col C K Nayudu Trophy (Under-23), being played at St Stephen’s Ground, New Delhi, Nagaland is trailing by 328 runs in their second innings against Delhi.
Delhi posted a mammoth 587 all out in their first innings, while Nagaland managed 240 in their first attempt. At stumps on Day II, Nagaland was at 19/1 in their second innings, with Mughavi Sumi unbeaten on 14, according to an update from the Nagaland Cricket Association.
With a significant deficit to overcome, Nagaland will require a strong partnership to avoid defeat.
