Cooch Behar Trophy match: Tripura bowlers restrict Puducherry to 110/6 on Day 1
In a dramatic start to the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy cricket tournament at the Narsingarh Police Training Academy ground, Tripura seized control of their opening match, putting the visiting team, Puducherry, under immediate pressure on the first day. Despite a late start due to rain, Tripura’s disciplined bowling lineup proved too strong, restricting Puducherry to 110 runs for the loss of six wickets in 45 overs.
The day began with Tripura winning the toss and electing to bowl first, a decision that proved fruitful despite initial resistance from Puducherry’s opening pair. Puducherry’s openers, Abhinayan and Raghavan, started cautiously, showing promise as they built a steady 55-run partnership off 135 balls. Abhinayan, the standout of Puducherry's innings, played a determined knock, scoring 53 runs off 98 balls, which included eight well-timed boundaries. Raghavan provided solid support, adding 18 runs off 63 balls, hitting both a boundary and an over-boundary.
However, once the opening partnership was broken, Tripura’s bowlers found their rhythm and began dismantling Puducherry's batting lineup. Following Raghavan’s departure, Puducherry’s batting order crumbled, with only P. Shailesh managing to offer some resistance, scoring an unbeaten 18 off 62 balls, decorated with three boundaries.
Shailesh attempted to anchor the innings alongside Abhinayan, but the relentless pressure from Tripura’s bowlers eventually led to Abhinayan's dismissal with Puducherry’s score at 86. After his departure, Puducherry’s tail-end struggled to survive against Tripura's effective bowling attack. At stumps, Shailesh and Srujan were at crease with scoring 18 (n.o) and 3 (n.o) respectively.
For Tripura, the bowling heroes were Rakesh Rudrapal and Arkjit Roy, each claiming two wickets for 13 and 17 runs respectively, keeping Puducherry’s scoring rate under control. Their disciplined line and length ensured that the visitors were unable to capitalize on any scoring opportunities, creating frequent breakthroughs to keep the opposition in check.
As play ended on Day One, Tripura held the upper hand, with Puducherry precariously placed at 110 for six. With only four wickets remaining, Puducherry will need to dig deep on the second morning if they hope to add to their modest score. Tripura’s bowlers, on the other hand, will aim to swiftly wrap up the innings and secure a comfortable position before taking to the crease themselves.
Even as the early advantage belongs to Tripura, but with unpredictable weather and a challenging pitch, the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy opener still holds much promise for both sides. Thursday morning’s session could set the tone for the remainder of the match, as Tripura will try to consolidate its strong start and Puducherry fights to regain footing.
(Tripura, Northeast)
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