Ranji Trophy Plate Group, Manipur vs Sikkim Ph Jotin scores maiden first-class century, guides Manipur to 286/6 at stumps on Day 1

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 13 : Young and promising cricketer Jotin Pheiroijam shone with the bat again as he scored his maiden first class tournament century to take Manipur to 286/6 at stumps on Day 1 (90 overs) against Sikkim in their last Ranji Trophy Plate Group tie of the season at Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand in Gujarat.
Having scored three half centuries this season and led Manipur to a commanding victory against Arunachal Pradesh in the previous match, the U-19 batter continued his fine form and remained unbeaten on 127 (off 184 balls) as Manipur closed out the day at 286/6.
The day also saw  Manipur skipper Langlonyamba Meitankeishangbam complete his 9th half century in his 45th innings of the first class domestic tournament before he holed out to Lee Yong on 76 for the 6th wicket after forging a respectable 180-run partnership in 45.1 overs with Jotin Pheiroijam.
Earlier in the day, Sikkim, who have registered wins against Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh in their earlier matches of the tournament, won the toss and opted to field first.
Manipur started the innings on a shaky note as Karnajit Yumnam (5 runs off 21 balls) got run out at 13 for the first wicket in the 6th over before incoming Prafullomani was bowled out by Palzor Tamang for the second wicket in the fourth delivery of the 9th over as the scoreboard read 23.
Sikkim continued to bother Manipur batters as Ronald Longjam, who came out to open with Karnajit, further saw Ng Johnson fall prey to Bhim Luitel for 3rd wicket in the 14th over and Kangabam Priyojit being trapped lbw for 21 runs by Lee Yong Lepcha for the fourth wicket.
From 54/4 after 26 overs, Ronald and Jotin Pheiroijam, who is to turn 19 in March next year, resurrected the innings and take Manipur past the 100-run mark before Ronald was bowled out for 40 runs (off 126 balls) by Parth Palawat for the fifth wicket in the last delivery of the 42nd over as the scoreboard read 101.
Jotin and Langlonyamba then took on the Sikkim bowlers to amass 180 runs together for the 6th wicket off 271 deliveries before Langlonyamba was undone by Ankur Malik for 76 runs when the scoreboard read 281.
Langlonyamba's knock included 6 fours and 1 six while Jotin struck 14 fours and 1 six on the way to 127 not out off 184 deliveries.
Brief Scores
Manipur 286/6 at stumps on Day 1 (Ph Jotin 127 not out, Langlonyamba 76, Ronald Longjam 40; Palzor Tamang 1/24, Bhim Luitel 1/16, Lee Yong Lepcha 1/55, Ankur Malik 1/85, Parth Palawat 1/47)