Yogesh Takawale strikes form, remains unconquered

Yogesh Takawale struck form in the Ranji Trophy after he notched up an unbeaten century and a fifty in Nagaland's Plate Group match against Arunachal Pradesh at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium in Sovima, Dimapur keeping his side in a solid position in the match.

Choosing to bat first, Nagaland made a solid start to their innings as Yogesh Takawale walked out to the crease with the score at a firm 334/4 with centurion Shrikant Mundhe at the other end, who soon departed for 166 and the score at 340/5.

He then partnered Sedezhalie Rupero to forge a 138-run stand for the sixth wicket as Nagaland piled on the runs. While Rupero departed after a fifty, Yogesh Takawale continued with Nagaland eventually declaring at 534/7.

While Mundhe top-scored for the side, Yogesh Takawale remained not out on 117, taking 162 balls amounting to a strike rate of 72.22 as he struck 14 fours during his innings. It was the 35-year-old's fifth first-class century in his 34th match.

After Mumbai captain Aditya Tare's century against Tamil Nadu, Yogesh Takawale was the second wicket-keeper to do so in the fifth round of the Ranji Trophy.

Arunachal Pradesh's Rahul Dalal became the third keeper when he scored a mammoth 267* as his side managed 460, trailing the home side by 74 runs at the end of their innings.

In the second innings, Nagaland were in a spot of a bother at 91/5 and a lead of 165. It was here when Yogesh Takawale teamed up with Shrikant Mundhe to put on 111 for the sixth wicket.

Yogesh Takawale, a SoBo Supersonics player in the T20 Mumbai league, ended up unbeaten on 73 for a match aggregate 190, not out in both his innings.

Nagaland eventually declared at 259/7 setting Arunachal Pradesh a target of 334 to win, with the match eventually ending in a draw.