Patna: Bihar, led by Captain Pritam Raj’s exceptional bowling performance of 5 wickets for 21 runs, dismantled Sikkim’s batting lineup, restricting them to a total of 137 runs on the opening day of the Vijay Merchant Trophy Under-16 Cricket Tournament. The match, a three-day affair, began on Wednesday, 11 December, at the MGM School of Sports Ground in Cuttack.
After winning the toss, Bihar opted to bowl first. Their bowlers struck early, claiming two quick wickets and putting Sikkim on the back foot. Despite the setbacks, opener Suman held firm, anchoring the innings with a resilient 60 runs off 257 balls, including nine boundaries. He partnered with Anurag for a 21-run second-wicket stand and with Sahil for an 88-run third-wicket partnership. However, the rest of the batting lineup faltered, with five players failing to score.
Sikkim were eventually bowled out for 137 runs in 97.3 overs. Besides Suman, Sahil contributed 29 runs, and Anurag chipped in with 15.
Bihar’s bowlers excelled, with Captain Pritam Raj leading the charge with a five-wicket haul. He was well-supported by Mohit Kumar (2/18), Aryan Patel (1/19), Animesh Raj (1/17), and Omkar Kumar (1/11), ensuring a commanding position for their team.
Match Summary:
Sikkim: 137 all out in 97.3 overs (Suman 60, Sahil 29; Pritam Raj 5/21, Mohit Kumar 2/18)
