Tripura boys started their match against Manipur in a dominant fashion, securing a massive lead on the first day of the match. If everything goes normal, the state team is poised to secure their fourth consecutive victory in the tournament and qualify for the Elite group in the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy cricket competition. By the close of play on Day 1, Tripura held a formidable 172-run lead, fueling expectations that the match might conclude as early as Day 2.
At the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in Agartala, Tripura posted an impressive total of 254 runs, which proved too much for Manipur, who managed only 89 in their innings. At stumps, Tripura scored 7 for no loss in the second innings and extended their lead to 165 runs. The highlight of the day was Dipjoy Deb’s scintillating century, complemented by Arkajit Roy’s exceptional six-wicket haul.
A Stellar Batting Performance by Tripura
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Tripura amassed 254 runs in 50.2 overs. Opener Dipjoy Deb was the star of the innings, delivering a brilliant century. Facing 113 balls, he crafted a well-constructed 100 runs, adorned with 14 boundaries and four towering sixes.
Contributions from other players added depth to the innings, with Rahul Sutradhar scoring 35 off 28 balls (seven boundaries), Arkajit Pal adding 32 off 51 balls (five boundaries, one six), skipper Arkajit Roy chipping in with 30 off 35 balls (five boundaries, one six), and Debangshu Dutta making 16 off 33 balls (two boundaries).
Manipur’s Punshiba was the pick of the bowlers, claiming five wickets for 65 runs, but his efforts couldn’t stem the flow of runs from Tripura’s batters.
Manipur’s Collapse Under Pressure
In reply, Manipur crumbled against Tripura’s relentless bowling attack, managing only 89 runs. Opener Ali Karim fought hard for his 17 off 40 balls (three boundaries), while Manikanta Singh and Joyhenba added 17 and 13 runs respectively. However, their resistance wasn’t enough to withstand the combined assault from Tripura’s bowlers.
Arkajit Roy delivered an outstanding performance with the ball, claiming six wickets for just 17 runs, marking his third innings with five or more wickets this season. Rahul Sutradhar provided strong support, picking up two wickets for 22 runs.
Tripura’s Commanding Position
Tripura resumed their second innings, scoring 7 runs without losing a wicket. With such a strong foundation, the team’s focus will now shift to extending their lead by at least another 120 runs before pushing aggressively for a decisive victory.
The match is firmly in Tripura’s grasp, and barring any dramatic turn of events, they are well on course to celebrate yet another emphatic win in the tournament and celebrate promotion to the Elite Group.
(Tripura, Northeast)