Manipur clinched the Cooch Behar Trophy (Plate) title with a commanding 7-wicket victory over Nagaland in the final played at the Sovima Cricket Ground. The four-day match from December 24 to 27, 2025 showcased exceptional bowling spells, spirited batting performances, and a standout display of resilience from both sides.
Nagaland won the toss and elected to bat first.
Nagaland struggled to build momentum after choosing to bat first, losing wickets at regular intervals. Despite a steady knock from Shyerinlo Thong, Manipur’s bowling duo of Rain and Naesh dominated the innings, dismantling the batting lineup with relentless accuracy. Their combined figures left Nagaland restricted to a modest first-innings total of 129 in 46.2 overs. The key performers for Nagaland was Shyerinlo Thong – 41 (81) while for Manipur Rain (Manipur) – 5/8 (10.0) and Naesh (Manipur) – 4/11 (5.2).
Manipur gained a crucial first-innings lead, thanks largely to a brisk half-century from Lucky. The innings, however, was highlighted by an extraordinary spell from Nagaland’s Yashimeren Jamir, who claimed a remarkable 9 wickets for 47 runs. His performance kept Nagaland alive in the contest, preventing Manipur from stretching the lead further. The key performers for Manipur was Lucky – 55 (50) while for Nagaland was Yashimeren Jamir (Nagaland) – 9/47 (17.5).
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Nagaland’s second innings followed a similar pattern, with small partnerships failing to evolve into substantial stands. Contributions from Samir Ali and Player of the Series Aloto Sumi offered resistance, but Manipur’s disciplined bowling—spearheaded once again by Naesh—ensured Nagaland were unable to set a challenging target. The key performer for Nagaland were Samir Ali – 31 (51) and Aloto Sumi – 29 (58), while Naesh (Manipur) – 4/38 (22.0).
Requiring just 75 runs for victory, Manipur approached the chase with composure. Despite early breakthroughs from Nagaland bowler Darsh Choudhary, the partnership between Alikarim and Sougaijam carried Manipur safely across the line. Their calm and calculated batting ensured a comfortable finish at 77/3, securing the Plate championship. The key performers for Manipur were Alikarim – 23* (39) and Sougaijam – 20* (43) while for Nagaland was Darsh Choudhary (Nagaland) – 2/27 (6.0).
The final showcased the rising talent of both teams, with standout individual performances and determined effort on all four days. While Nagaland impressed with moments of brilliance, Manipur’s consistency with both bat and ball proved decisive as they claimed the Plate title. The match highlighted the growing strength of cricket in the region and ended the tournament on a competitive and exciting note.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Naesh (Manipur) – 5/38
Rain (Manipur) – 5/8
Yashimeren Jamir (Nagaland) – 9/47
AWARDS
Player of the Match:
Naesh (Manipur)
Player of the Series:
Aloto Sumi (Nagaland)
Tournament Results:
Winners: Manipur
Runners-up: Nagaland
