Shillong, Nov 5: A steadfast rearguard action saw Meghalaya hold out for a morale-boosting draw against Goa in their U-23 men’s Col CK Nayudu Trophy Elite Group match on the final day at the MCA Ground here today.
Meghalaya batted the entire day to deny Goa victory and at the close Manish Sharma was not out on 80 from 177 deliveries (15x4s), while tailender Sudhir Sahani batted resolutely for 28 balls without scoring. Meghalaya finished on 194/7, a vast improvement on their 102 all out in the first innings. Goa had made 372/10 in their only innings.
Resuming this morning on 18/0, Meghalaya lost Avinash Rai (8) off the third ball of the day and wicketkeeper Dipankar Baruah (2) followed soon after. Sachin Kumar (31 from 103 balls, 4x4s) and Kevin Christopher (32 from 181, 3x4s) were determined to occupy the crease for as long as possible and each did their part.
After nearly 25 overs together the partnership was broken as Sachin was a little indecisive. He tried to cut a wide delivery in Chittem Devankumar’s first over but edged it behind square on the off side and was caught at gully.
Kevin did benefit from a bit of luck as he was put down at mid-off immediately after a drinks break in the second session. At that time he was on 27 from 142 balls. Though he added just 5 more runs, he occupied the crease for a further 39 deliveries, eating away vital time for Goa.
All the while, at the other end, Manish was compiling a very calm innings. He and Kevin put on 65 for the fifth wicket, to take Meghalaya from a precarious 60/4 to 125/5. Manish brought up his half-century with a single down the ground while in partnership with Shavian Blah (20 from 42, 3x4s). Although he played defensively, the left-hander was not averse to punishing bad balls and he made 60 of his 80 runs in fours.
Shavian was removed LBW by Lakhmesh Pawane and the dismissal of the all-rounder meant that Goa had reached the hosts’ tail.
Although dark clouds had suggested rain could be a factor on the final day, there was never more than a sprinkle and play continued uninterrupted.
As the sun began to set, the umpires called out ‘last hour’, meaning 15 overs were left in the day – either for Meghalaya to survive or for Goa to prove victorious.
Lakhmesh bowled PM Santhosh (4) with the second ball of the ‘last hour’ and let out an aggressive roar that the umpires appeared to reprimand him for. But that wicket was not the start of a downfall, as Manish continued on, now in the company of Sudhir, who defended stoutly against the turn of the spinners and the blistering bouncers of the fast bowlers.
Every ball survived was cheered vociferously from the Meghalaya dugout. In the end, the gathering gloom was too much and 3 overs were lost to bad light. Meghalaya survived for a precious draw to the disappointment of the visitors.
The Col CK Nayudu Trophy will now pause until January as the U-23 men’s teams from around the country switch formats to one day cricket and the BCCI’s State A Trophy 2025-26. Meghalaya’s first match will be against Sikkim on 9 November in Punjab.
