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Dimapur, Jan. 22 (EMN): Nagaland cricket team captain Jonathan Rongsen created history in Northeast India cricket on Wednesday by becoming the first batsman from the state as well as the region (NE) to score a double century.
Rongsen scored 200 runs (not out) in the second innings against Bihar on day-four of the ongoing Ranji Trophy (four-day Test) held at Nagaland Cricket Stadium in Sovima, Dimapur, on January 22.
On day three, Nagaland were trailing Bihar by 278 runs after the latter scored 509 runs (declared) for loss of seven wickets in their first innings, and Nagaland were reeling at 65 for loss of two wickets in their second innings on Tuesday before bad light stopped the match.
Continuing his good form with the bat from his previous day’s score of 16, Rongsen managed to lead Nagaland to a draw against Bihar after a gruelling and long game, ending the match with 444/4 and taking the team to a 101-run lead.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Rongsen expressed happiness at becoming the first cricketer from Nagaland and the Northeast to score a double century.
“The training sessions helped, and I feel good and happy about the result,” Rongsen said, adding that Bihar were a good team to beat, and the match result has put Nagaland in a good place among the teams in the Northeast.
“Our main concern was to play the whole day. Pitch was difficult since it was the fourth day; it was cracked and ball was lying low,” Rongsen informed.
Owing the outcome of the match (draw) to his partnerships with fellow teammates Shrikant Munde and Stuart Binny, the captain said that they played sensibly by studying how the ball was coming on to the bat as the match progressed and not trying to convert the shots.
Binny, a professional cricketer who has played for the Indian cricket team, the IPL and now for Nagaland, was all praise for the state team captain. He told this newspaper that Rongsen is a dedicated and fine player who carried his bat throughout the innings.
“He put the loose balls away and stitched partnerships with both Munde and I,” Binny said, adding that it was relaxing and very comfortable to bat with Rongsen as they have played many games together in the past.
It may be mentioned that Rongsen became the first Naga to score a century, as well as the first to score three consecutive centuries, during the Ranji Trophy last year.