Goa thrash Nagaland by 362 runs, clinch Ranji Plate Division title

PANAJI

Goa thrashed Nagaland by 362 runs in the Plate Group Final of Ranji Trophy 2024-25 at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Sovima, on Monday.

Chasing a huge target of 578, Nagaland was bundled out for 215 in 69.3 overs on the final day.

Goa skipper Darshan Misal (5/48) took his tenth five-wicket haul and was equally supported by right-arm spinner Mohit Redkar (3/40) who bagged three wickets. The duo ripped apart Nagaland’s batting line-up to give Goa a famous win.

Chasing a daunting target, the home side started losing wickets on a regular interval. For Nagaland, only Hem Chetri showed some kind of resistance. Chetri scored 54 off 126 balls which included eight boundaries.

Dega Nishal (31), Jagadeesha Suchith (28), Sedezhalie Rupero (23) and Imliwati Lemtur (23) did get off to a start, but could not convert it into a big innings.

In the end, Nagaland fell short of 362 runs of the target.

On Sunday, Goa declared their second innings at 517/7 in 158 overs thereby taking an overall lead of 577 runs.

Snehal Kauthankar (202 not out) scored his third consecutive double century, a first for a Goan batsman, who was equally supported by Kashyap Bakhale who scored 161 off 279 balls which included 16 fours.

Snehal and Kashyap added a massive 278-runs partnership for the fourth wicket.

In fact, Snehal carried his good form from his last two games against Mizoram (250) and Arunachal Pradesh (314 not out) to score yet another double century. Kauthankar remained unbeaten on 202 off 374 balls. He hit nine boundaries in his innings. In fact, Snehal now has three double centuries and a triple century to his credit, the most by a Goan batsman in first-class cricket.

Skipper Darshan Misal (67) along with Kauthankar added a valuable 145-runs partnership for the fifth wicket. Darshan hit seven boundaries in his innings to register his 21st first-class fifty.

Snehal was declared the ‘Player of the Match’ and ‘Player of the Tournament’ for his consistent performance throughout the tournament that saw him score 949 runs which included a triple century and two double centuries.

As top-two sides in Ranji Plate Group, both Goa and Nagaland have been promoted to the Ranji Elite Division for the next season.

Brief Scores

Goa (First Innings) – 276 all in 104.2 overs (Kashyap Bakhale 79 not out, Snehal Kauthankar 63, Suyash Prabhudessai 56, Jagadeesha Suchith 4/69, Imliwati Lemtur 3/38, Dip Borah 1/55, Rongsen Jonathan 1/61)

Nagaland (First Innings) – 216 in 66.5 overs (Rongsen Jonathan 86, Hem Chetri 55, Heramb Parab 5/30, Mohit Redkar 2/69, Darshan Misal 1/56)

Goa (Second Innings) – 517/7 declared in 158 overs (Snehal Kauthankar 202 not out, Kashyap Bakhale 161, Darshan Misal 67, Nagaho Chishi 2/71, Jagadeesha Suchith 2/117, Hem Chetri 1/29, Rongsen Jonathan 1/162)

Nagaland (Second Innings) – 215 all out in 69.3 overs (Hem Chetri 54, Dega Nischal 31, Jagadeesha Suchith 28, Darshan Misal 5/48, Mohit Redkar 3/40, Amulya Pandrekar 1/43)