Panaji: Indian domestic cricket minnows Nagaland are giving Goa a run for their money as the Northeastern outfit require 194 runs to record their most famous win till date with nine wickets in hand going into the fourth and final day of their Ranji Trophy Plate Group match at Panjim Gymkhana ground, here. Chasing a target of 339 runs, the visitors ended Day 3 on a comfortable position of 145/1.
Nagaland, who entered the Ranji Trophy fold only in 2018-19, thus showed a notable progress they have made by keeping Goa, who have a history of around 40 years in the Indian First Class circuit, on tenterhooks.
Nischal D has looked assured at the crease and after the opening partnership of 119 with Sedezhalie (48), the professional batter from Karnataka will be resuming in the morning on his overnight score of 76. Giving him company is Hem, not out on 12. Captain of Goa, Darshan Misal picked the only wicket to fall in Nagaland second innings.
Earlier, Goa second innings came to a closure on 306 runs after overnight batting duo of Snehal Kauthankar (75) and Darshan (30) were dismissed in quick succession. Arjun Tendulkar played a cameo of 42 runs, entertaining the spectators with 3 sixers and two boundaries in his 39-ball knock. Wicketkeeper-batter Samar Dubhashi chipped in with 28 runs.
Nagaland captain R Jonathan did most of the damage with the ball, taking 4/59.
With the fate of the match hanging in the balance with an outright result being a certainty unless the weather intervenes, the return match of Ranji Trophy cricket to Panjim Gymkhana’s Bandodkar ground is set for a grand finale!
