Ranji Trophy Plate: Milind Kumar, Rohit Damodaren raise bats

Milind Kumar crafted a knock of 224 in 215 balls with 31 boundaries and three sixes that helped Sikkim reach 374 in the first innings against Nagaland.

Milind Kumar’s 215-ball 224 against Nagaland comprised 31 fours and three sixes. (File Photo)

There’s no stopping Milind Kumar. The former Delhi batsman, who shifted base to Sikkim this season, struck his second consecutive double century to help Sikkim gain upper-hand in a Ranji Trophy Plate group match against Nagaland in Dimapur on Tuesday.

As Sikkim began the day on 120-5, with Milind unbeaten on 78, the batsman crafted a knock of 224 in 215 balls with 31 boundaries and three sixes. That helped Sikkim reach 374 in the first innings. For Nagaland, left-arm medium pacer Pawan Suyal claimed 7-108.

Nagaland’s trouble, however, continued as it lost five wickets for 97 with Bipul Sharma and Pawan Suyal claiming two wickets apiece. With Sikkim’s all three guest players putting up fine show, the side inched closer to its second successive bonus point victory. Nagaland still needs 95 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

In Dehradun, Manipur fought back after conceding a 91-run first innings lead to Uttarakhand as Lakhan Rawat played an unbeaten knock 81. At stumps, Manipur was at 143-1, with a lead of 52 runs. Earlier, Uttarakhand resumed the day at 123-5 but could only add 105 runs for the remaining five wickets. Captain Rajat Bhatia scored 61 off 63 balls as Uttarakhand ended its first innings at 228. For Manipur, Thokchom Singh scalped 4-50, while Bishworjit Konthoujam grabbed 4-68.

In Puducherry, captain Rohit Damodaren scored 138 to help the team reach 389 in the first innings against Meghalaya. In reply, Meghalaya was reduced to 161-6 in the first innings, with Pankaj Singh grabbing three wickets for 20 and Akshay Jain bagging 2-52. Puneet Bisht scored 58.

Scores

In Dimapur:  Nagaland 179 and 97-5 (KB Pawan 61; Ishwar Chaudhary 2-21, Bipul Sharma 2-21)  vs  Sikkim first innings 374 (Milind Kumar 224, Bipul Sharma 90; Pawan Suyal 7-108). In Dehradun:  Manipur 137 and 143-1 (Lakhan Rawat 81 batting) vs  Uttarakhand first innings 228 (Rajat Bhatia 61; Thokchom Singh 4-50, Bishworjit Konthoujam 4-68). In Jorhat:  Arunachal Pradesh 220 and 251-5 (Kshitiz Sharma 57, Neelam Obi 56, Kamsha Yangfo 53)  vs  Mizoram first innings 142 (Kshitiz 4-31, Techi Doria 4-26). In Puducherry:  Puducherry first innings 389 in 127.3 overs (Rohit Damodaren 138, Paras Dogra 101, Abhishek Nayar 57; Gurinder Singh 4-106)  vs  Meghalaya first innings 161-6 in 52 overs (Puneet Bisht 58, Yogesh Nagar 45; Pankaj Singh 3-20, Akshay Jain 2-52).