GANGTOK: Rohit Limboo tore through the Mizoram line-up on Day 3 with career-best figures of 8-19 from just 9.2 overs, securing Sikkim’s first win of the tournament this season while defending a target of 287 at SICA cricket ground in Mining near Rangpo.
Mizoram, resuming on overnight score of 11 without loss, appeared well-placed at 101 for 2, despite the early loss of in-form batter Lalrampluahpuia Zote. But two wickets at the stroke of tea swung the momentum sharply towards Sikkim. After the break, the innings unravelled dramatically as Mizoram crumbled, losing their final eight wickets for only 50 runs, informs a Sikkim Cricket Association (SICA) press release.
Limboo’s brilliance was supported by some exceptional fielding from Deepak, who took three sharp catches at silly point, one of which prompted him to sprint some 60-70 metres in celebration after completing a difficult chance.
Earlier, Sikkim team had posted only 154 in the first innings but clawed their way back through a strong bowling performance. Adnan Alam claimed six wickets to bowl Mizoram out for 121 and hand Sikkim a 33-run lead.
Sikkim’s second innings total of 253 was built on contributions from Parvin Kuikel, the only batter to cross the 50-run mark in the match, Avneesh, Limboo and Arihant Sachdeva, setting a target that proved well beyond Mizoram.
The match also featured two five-wicket hauls for Mizoram with Stephen (6-85) and Saingurpuia (5-25) earning match balls alongside Sikkim’s bowling heroes, the SICA said.
The victory came amid a somber last few days for Sikkim Cricket Association after the sad demise of SICA joint secretary Shri Gopal Sharma and senior ground staff Shri Bhagan ‘Bhagya’ Hembram.
The Sikkim team members said, “This win means a great deal to us, but it comes at a time of deep loss. We dedicate this performance to Gopal sir and Bhagya da. Their contributions to Sikkim cricket were immense. We wanted to honour them in the best way we could.”
- SA Report
