Sikkim steamroll Arunachal Pradesh for consecutive away wins in Ranji Trophy

SAMIR NUGO

GANGTOK, : The Sikkim senior men’s cricket team concluded their Gujarat tour with resounding victories in both away matches of the Ranji Trophy.

In the first match, Sikkim outplayed Mizoram at their adopted home ground in Nadiad. The trend continued in the second match at Anand, where Sikkim humbled Arunachal Pradesh.

Sikkim shredded through the Arunachal batting line-up after putting up a huge first innings total to claim victory by an innings and 288 runs, securing the win inside three days.

After declaring the first innings at an imposing 544-7, 40 minutes into the afternoon session on Day 2, Sikkim bowled out Arunachal Pradesh for 98 in their first essay and enforced follow-on.

Sikkim wasted little time in adding to that first innings success to skittle the opponents for 158 in just over 41.5 overs today.

Only Doria (60) provided any resistance in the Arunachal collapse as Palzor Tamang claimed his sixth five-wicket haul in First Class cricket, Sumit Singh picked three and Lee Yong Lepcha two.

Earlier, Ankur Malik followed up his unbeaten century with 5-27 to dismantle the Arunachal batting line-up in the first innings, joining the exclusive club of Sikkim players registering a century and a five-wicket haul in the same match.  His all-round brilliance earned him the man of the match award notwithstanding the fantastic 86-run knock to add to the fifer of Palzor.

Likewise, Saurav Kumar Prasad, playing only his second First Class match, made a brilliant 119. Captain Nilesh Lamichaney (103) and Pankaj Rawat (58) were the other major contributors.

Sikkim will next face the formidable Hyderabad in their last away match before they return home for the last two group stage fixtures.