Ranji Trophy: Pondicherry crush Manipur by 10 wickets

CHENNAI: Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) thrashed Manipur by 10 wickets inside two days in their Ranji clash at Anantapur on Monday. After starting Day two 18 runs ahead of Manipur in their first innings, Pondicherry were bowled out for 238. Openers S Kartik (55) and T Saiju (42) and Fabid Ahmed (41) all contributed to help Pondicherry take a 106-run lead. For Manipur, medium-pacer Thokchom Singh (4 for 65) stood out with the ball.
In their second innings, Pondicherry restricted Manipur to 118. For the second time in the match, Manipur skipper Yashpal Singh (52, 5x4, 1x6) played a fighting innings but got little support from his teammates. Pondicherry's most experienced bowler - Pankaj Singh - shone with figures of 4 for 20. In the first innings, he had taken 4 for 32. Pankaj was well-supported by skipper D Rohit, who returned with figures of 3 for 20.
With a target of 13 to chase, Pondicherry ended the contest in 1.1 overs and pocketed 7 points for their efforts. Their fourth win in seven matches has taken Pondicherry's tally to 32 points and they trail leaders Uttarakhand by 5 points in the Plate Group. "It was a clinical win for us and I am very happy with the way we performed. Our position could have been a lot better (in the points table) had we not lost a couple of games to rains. Having said that, we still have a chance to make the playoffs," Rohit told TOI.
Pondy to play their final game at Dimapur: Pondicherry's final league clash against Nagaland - scheduled to be held at the CAP Siechem ground from January 7 - has now been moved to Dimapur. "The curators are working on the Pondicherry ground and though it is ready - we felt it should be given some rest before the next fixture is held. So Pondicherry's next 'home' match was shifted to Dimapur," said a BCCI official.
Brief scores: Manipur 132 & 118 in 31.5 overs (Yashpal Singh 52; Pankaj Singh 4/20, D Rohit 3/22). Pondicherry 238 & 13/0 in 1.1 overs. Puducherry won by 10 wkts.