Shillong, Nov 4: Goa seized a massive 270-run first innings lead over Meghalaya after a remarkable 195 by Shivendra Bhujbal powered the visitors to 372 all out on Day 3 of their U-23 Men’s Col CK Nayudu Trophy Elite Group match at the MCA Ground, Polo.
At stumps, Meghalaya reached 18/0 in their second innings, still needing 252 runs just to make Goa bat again.
Goa had resumed this morning on 4/1 in reply to Meghalaya’s modest first-innings total of 102. With bowling-friendly conditions still in place, Meghalaya made early inroads, reducing Goa to 24/4 and later 55/5.
A stabilising 78-run partnership between Anuj Yadav (49 off 82 balls, 8 fours) and Shivendra gave Goa breathing space, though Meghalaya were still well-placed to restrict the visitors to under 200 when Goa slipped to 186/8.
However, a dramatic shift occurred as the sun dried up the pitch, making batting easier. Meghalaya then missed a crucial opportunity to remove No. 10 batter Pundalik Naik, who went on to score a valuable 50 (86 balls, 6 fours). His 170-run ninth-wicket stand with Shivendra completely turned the match in Goa’s favour.
Shivendra reached his century before tea and unleashed a brutal assault in the final session, smashing 13 sixes and 17 fours. He struck at least one six off six of the seven Meghalaya bowlers used. His scintillating innings ended just shy of a double century when he fell to PM Santhosh (4/66 in 20.3 overs).
Earlier, Santhosh and fellow pacer Sudhir Sahani (5/75 in 21 overs) dominated the morning session with hostile fast bowling. Sahani struck in the first over of the day and continued to dismantle the top order. But as the pitch eased and the ball aged, Meghalaya’s bowlers found the going tough.
Spinners Manish Sharma, Gavineal Marpna, and Kevin Christopher struggled against the onslaught, with only Manish (1/60) managing a breakthrough by removing Pundalik.
Meghalaya’s second innings began under significant pressure, but openers Sachin Kumar (10)* and Avinash Rai (8)* safely negotiated a testing half-hour to take the game into the final day.
While victory is beyond reach, a disciplined batting performance on the last day could help Meghalaya salvage an impressive draw.
