Shillong, Oct 26: Classy centuries by Arpit Bhatewara and Kishan Lyngdoh put Meghalaya firmly in control on the second day of their Ranji Trophy 2025–26 Plate Group match against Sikkim at the MCA Ground, where the hosts reached 271/2 at stumps.

At close of play, Arpit was unbeaten on 132 and Kishan not out on 102, their unbroken 212-run third-wicket stand steering Meghalaya to within 75 runs of Sikkim’s first-innings total of 346 all out.

The pair came together at 59/2 after early dismissals of Arien Bonchang Sangma (16) and Ajay Duhan (4), both falling to Kranthi Kumar (1/62) and Palzor Tamang (1/44) respectively. From there, the two batted with composure and fluency, scoring at nearly four runs an over before easing off in the final hour to preserve their wickets for Day 3.

Arpit, who brought up his maiden first-class century with a boundary, struck 17 fours, while Meghalaya captain Kishan, registering his third Ranji hundred, hit 12 boundaries in a confident display.

Earlier in the day, Sikkim’s innings wrapped up within nine overs of the morning session. Resuming on 310/6, they lost Kranthi Kumar (95), trapped LBW by Dippu Sangma, while Akash Chaudhary (5/85) dismissed Palzor Tamang (17) to complete his five-wicket haul. Dippu, wicketless on Day 1, picked up 3/72 to finish strongly.

With two set batsmen at the crease and plenty of batting to come, Meghalaya will look to take a first-innings lead and press for an outright result in the days ahead.