Team Herald
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NAGALAND: Skipper Darshan Misal led from the front with a stellar bowling display, claiming 5 for 48, as Goa thrashed Nagaland by a massive margin of 362 runs in the Plate Group Final of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Sovima, on Monday.
Both teams earned promotion to the Elite Division for the next season.
Chasing a daunting target of 578, Nagaland was bundled out for 215 on the final day. Goa’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance, with Mohit Redkar chipping in with 3 wickets and Amulya Pandrekar adding 1.
Goa had set the tone after winning the toss and opting to bat first, scoring 276 in their opening innings. Key contributions came from Suyash Prabhudessai (56), Snehal Kauthankar (63), and Kashyap Bakhale (79 not out). In response, Nagaland managed 216 in their first innings, led by Rongsen Jonathan’s gritty 86 and Hem Chetri’s 55.
Goa’s Heramb Parab was the standout bowler, claiming 5 wickets, while Redkar (2) and Misal (1) supported effectively.
Nagaland showed some resilience early in Goa’s second innings, reducing the visitors to 42 for 3. However, an exceptional 278-run fourth-wicket stand between Kauthankar (202 not out) and Bakhale (161) dashed Nagaland’s hopes. Misal later joined Kauthankar to add a further 145 runs for the fifth wicket, taking Goa to a commanding 517 for 7 before declaring. The fifth day saw little resistance from Nagaland as Goa’s bowlers wrapped up the innings shortly after lunch, sealing a dominant win and lifting the Plate Division title. Snehal Kauthankar was declared man-of-the-match and tournament.
