Tripura Suffer Defeat Despite Strong Start in U-23 C K Naidu Trophy Opener Against Maharashtra
In a gripping match of the Under-23 Colonel C.K. Naidu Trophy, Tripura faced a heartbreaking 25-run defeat to Maharashtra after a dramatic second-innings collapse.
Despite taking a commanding first-innings lead of 170 runs, Tripura’s batting faltered in the second innings, handing Maharashtra a hard-fought victory.
The match, held at the CH. Shambhujinagar ground, saw an outstanding performance from Tripura’s pace bowler, Abhijit Debbarma, who took 7 wickets in the first innings, but his warning that his efforts would go in vain without support from the batsmen proved prophetic.
Tripura’s batting line-up failed to rise to the occasion, throwing away a golden opportunity to secure a win in their first match of the season.
First Innings Dominance by Tripura
After bowling out Maharashtra for a mere 107 runs in their first innings, Tripura seemed well on their way to a comfortable win. Powered by some disciplined bowling from Debbarma, Tripura took full control of the match early on.
In response to Maharashtra's 107 runs, Tripura posted a respectable 277 runs on the board, thanks to disciplined performance from the batsmen. Their innings put them in a commanding position with a massive lead of 170 runs.
Kate hits double ton
However, the story took a drastic turn in Maharashtra’s second innings. H.R. Kate emerged as the hero for the home team, playing a marathon knock of 201 runs, which single-handedly shifted the momentum.
Kate’s innings, which featured 27 boundaries and a six, was a true display of grit and determination. Starting the third day at 312/7, Kate’s resilience pushed Maharashtra to 351/9 before the declaration. Shubham Medhe provided some late support with an unbeaten 12.
Tripura’s bowlers fought hard, with Diptanu Chakraborty standing out with figures of 5 for 88, while Debbarma chipped in with two wickets.
Despite the fightback, the visitors were left to chase 182 runs in their second innings—a target that seemed achievable given their earlier performance.
Batting Collapse Dashes Tripura's Hopes
What followed, however, was a shocking collapse from Tripura’s batsmen. Faced with sharp bowling from Maharashtra, Tripura crumbled under pressure. The top and middle-order batsmen struggled to build partnerships and failed to hold their ground. Maharashtra’s bowlers, led by E. Salam (3 for 24) and Shubham Maid (2 for 34), applied relentless pressure, making it difficult for Tripura to recover.
Ananda Bhowmik was the only batsman to show some resistance with a score of 31, while Abhijit Debbarma (23), captain Sentu Sarkar (19), and Diptanu Chakraborty (14*) contributed lower down the order.
Despite these efforts, Tripura fell short, bowled out for 156 in 65.4 overs.
Looking Ahead: Tough Test Against Karnataka
With this defeat, Tripura failed to earn a point while Maharashtra secured a crucial 6 points. Tripura will now look to regroup as they face a formidable Karnataka side in their next match at the Tripura Police Training Academy ground.
The team will need to address their batting woes and build on their bowling strengths if they hope to bounce back in the competition.
For Tripura, the season’s opener was a bitter lesson in the importance of batting resilience. While their bowlers, especially Debbarma, delivered standout performances, the lack of support from the batting line-up ultimately cost them the game.
(Tripura, Northeast)
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