Shillong, Dec 8: Gaurav Narleng struck his second century of the season in the U-19 men’s Cooch Behar Trophy 2025-26 plate group, guiding Meghalaya to a total of 312 all out on the opening day against Nagaland at the MCA Ground here today. Nagaland ended the day at 20/2, trailing by 292 runs.

Narleng’s superb innings of 127 runs off 129 balls was the highlight of the day, reinforcing his position as one of the top run-scorers this season. Already placed among the Top 3 run-getters in the plate group before this match, the Meghalaya batter is expected to climb even higher once other results are updated.

After Nagaland won the toss and opted to field, Meghalaya struggled early and were reduced to 20/3 and then 73/4 before Narleng and Angkit Tamang steadied the innings. Narleng struck 20 fours and two sixes, riding on some luck after being dropped early by Ravi Kumar Ram at mid-off, one of several missed opportunities that cost Nagaland dearly in the field.

Approaching lunch on 88, Narleng displayed remarkable confidence. After defending the first two balls of the last over before the break, he exploded with a six over midwicket, followed by a four and a couple to raise his century. His control and command saw Meghalaya reach 150/4 at lunch, with Narleng contributing two-thirds of the team’s total.

He eventually fell to Medempok Pongeng, who returned the best figures for Nagaland with 3/46. Meanwhile, Angkit played a composed supporting innings before scoring 52 (103 balls, 3x4s, 1×6), while Rudra Singh Rathor hammered a brisk 58 (78 balls, 7x4s). The tail pushed Meghalaya past the 300 mark, helped by further fielding lapses.

Nagaland’s reply started poorly as the visitors lost both openers within nine overs before stumps. Jesevilie Dzeyie was bowled by Narleng (1/5), and Tachuye Trakha was trapped LBW by Mewankitbok Kharpuri (1/4), giving Meghalaya early control of the match.