Sikkim and Nagaland share title in Women’s T20 Tournament

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 6, 2024

Sikkim and Nagaland were declared joint winners of the inaugural Senior Women’s Interstate Friendship T20 Tournament at Nongkhrah, Ri-Bhoi, on October 5, after the final was washed out due to rain and a wet outfield.

The tournament, which began on September 30, was organized by the North East Cricket Development Council (NECDC) and hosted by the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA). All six NECDC member states – Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim – participated in the event.

The NECDC aimed to use the tournament as preparation for the upcoming BCCI 2024-25 domestic season for the senior women’s teams. Despite three days of successful group-stage matches with good conditions, the weather ultimately prevented the final, leading to shared honours between the two finalists.

At the prize distribution ceremony, Meghalaya’s captain Debasmita Dutta, whose team reached the semifinals, was named Player of the Tournament for her all-round performance, contributing 46 runs and taking 5 wickets.

Sikkim’s Samayita Roy Prodhan was awarded Best Batter for her 63 runs across three innings, while Manipur’s Monica Devi Ningthoujam, who took 6 wickets, including a five-wicket haul, was named Best Bowler. Monica’s teammate, Kalpana Devi, received the Best Wicketkeeper award for five dismissals – three stumpings, a catch, and a run-out.

Chief guest Dikki D Shira, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, praised the two teams, encouraging them to continue their hard work and thanked the NECDC for organizing the tournament in Meghalaya.

Although Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shakliar Warjri couldn’t attend in person, he sent a message of encouragement to the players, expressing confidence in their future success through dedication and hard work.

NECDC Founder Co-Convenor and MCA President Nababrata Bhattacharjee lauded the efforts of the Ri-Bhoi District Cricket Association (RBDCA), led by its President, Rayonald Kharkamni, for preparing the Nongkhrah ground in just a few months. He also thanked the local community and elders for supporting the growth of cricket in Meghalaya.

BCCI Apex Council Member Mamon Majumdar highlighted Bhattacharjee’s role in securing full BCCI membership for the six NECDC states in 2018 and emphasized the BCCI’s efforts, especially under Secretary Jay Shah, to bring the North East up to par with other states. He encouraged the NECDC women cricketers to aim for the Women’s Premier League, the women’s counterpart of the IPL.

Other dignitaries present included Ri-Bhoi Additional Superintendent of Police Banraplang Jyrwa, PWD Sub-Divisional Officer Dahunlang Shylla, and representatives from the NECDC states.