Nagaland Cricket Team vs Punjab Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Nagaland Cricket Team vs Punjab Cricket Team Match Scorecard highlights scores, key performances, and detailed stats from this exciting cricket clash.
The Group C clash between Nagaland and Punjab on December 23, 2024, at the ADSA Railways Cricket Ground in Ahmedabad turned into a highly engaging contest filled with disciplined batting and sharp bowling displays. Nagaland worked hard to post a competitive total, anchored by important knocks from Dega Nischal and Chetan Bist. But Punjab’s bowlers maintained tight lines throughout the innings, preventing Nagaland from accelerating during crucial phases. The match setup promised an exciting chase, and Punjab’s confidence with the bat was evident from the very beginning.
Punjab executed their chase with remarkable control and positivity, achieving the target with 5 wickets in hand and 91 balls remaining, showcasing the depth and balance of their squad. The innings was shaped by several impactful partnerships, but it was the brilliance of Anmolpreet Singh, who played aggressively and handled pressure effortlessly, that tilted the game firmly in Punjab’s favor. His knock of 55 runs from 40 balls provided momentum, while his two crucial wickets earlier in the match demonstrated his all-round influence.
With this victory, Punjab strengthened their position in Group C of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024–25. The match stood out for its smooth flow, impactful contributions, and disciplined execution from both sides. The following sections provide a full breakdown of the scorecards, batting and bowling tables, match highlights, and key statistics that shaped this memorable contest.
Nagaland Innings – Steady Start but Moderate Total
Nagaland put up a competitive total of 216/8 in 50 overs, built on the solid foundation laid by Dega Nischal, who played a patient and composed knock of 77 off 124 balls. His innings provided stability during crucial phases as wickets fell around him. Toward the end, Chetan Bist delivered a much-needed boost with an aggressive 69 off 72 balls, helping Nagaland push past the 200-run mark. However, despite being comfortably placed at 35/1, the team struggled to build long partnerships, losing wickets at moments when acceleration was needed.
Punjab’s bowlers maintained discipline throughout the innings, preventing Nagaland from capitalizing on good starts. Raghu Sharma was the standout performer with an impressive 3/33, consistently troubling the middle order with his accuracy. Adding to the pressure, Anmolpreet Singh chipped in effectively with 2/14, striking at crucial moments to halt Nagaland’s momentum. Their combined effort ensured that Nagaland never fully broke free, ultimately holding them to a total that proved below par on the Ahmedabad surface.
Nagaland Batting ScorecardPlayerRB4s6sSRDega Nischal771248062.09Chetan Bist*69726195.83Sedezhalie Rupero17303056.66Rest (combined)53––––
Nagaland Bowling PerformanceBowlerORWEconRaghu Sharma103333.30Anmolpreet Singh21427.00Baltej Singh82112.62
Nagaland’s innings struggled largely due to the absence of strong partnerships at crucial moments. While a few batters managed to get starts, they were unable to convert them into significant contributions, which prevented the team from building momentum. Every time a partnership looked promising, Punjab’s bowlers struck back, breaking the rhythm and forcing Nagaland to rebuild repeatedly. This inconsistency in stitching together meaningful stands ultimately restricted their scoring potential throughout the innings.
In the final 10 overs, Nagaland managed to add only 44 runs, which proved to be below expectations on a batting-friendly pitch. The team failed to accelerate effectively despite having wickets in hand, and Punjab’s disciplined bowling further tightened the scoring rate. Missed opportunities, lack of boundary flow, and minimal strike rotation made the finish subdued when a strong late surge was needed. As a result, the total of 216/8 fell short of a competitive par score and gave Punjab a clear advantage heading into the chase.
Punjab’s Chase – Dominant, Positive, and Controlled
Chasing 217, Punjab displayed impressive power and precision, cruising to 217/5 in only 34.5 overs. The chase began shakily with Prabhsimran Singh falling for a golden duck, but the setback was short-lived. Captain Abhishek Sharma took charge with a fluent 41 off 35 balls, finding boundaries with ease and keeping the run rate high. At the other end, Anmolpreet Singh played with superb confidence, smashing 55 off just 40 deliveries, including 12 elegant fours. Together, they stitched a dominant 91-run partnership, shifting the momentum firmly in Punjab’s favour and putting Nagaland’s bowlers under immediate pressure.
This aggressive stand not only stabilized the innings but also broke the back of the chase, allowing Punjab to dictate terms for the remainder of the match. With both batters rotating the strike and attacking loose balls, Punjab maintained a commanding scoring rate throughout. After the partnership was broken, the remaining batters comfortably carried forward the momentum, ensuring the target was never out of reach. By establishing early control, Abhishek and Anmolpreet effectively set the stage for a smooth, confident victory, showcasing Punjab’s depth, intent, and batting superiority in the fixture.
Later, wicketkeeper Anmol Malhotra (45)* and Sanvir Singh (23)* guided Punjab home comfortably.
Punjab Batting ScorecardPlayerRB4s6sSRAnmolpreet Singh5540120137.50Abhishek Sharma413552117.14Anmol Malhotra*45622072.58Nehal Wadhera343222106.25
Nagaland Bowling FiguresBowlerORWEconJ. Suchith103833.80Nagaho Chishi221110.50Rongsen Jonathan85516.87
Punjab’s aggressive intent was clear from the very beginning as they maintained a strong scoring rate of 6.22 runs per over throughout the chase. Their top-order batsmen attacked loose deliveries with confidence, finding boundaries regularly and putting the Nagaland bowlers under immediate pressure. The partnership between Abhishek Sharma and Anmolpreet Singh set the tone, with both players showing excellent shot selection and timing. Their positive approach ensured that the required run rate never became a concern, allowing Punjab to dominate the chase from the early overs.
As the innings progressed, Punjab continued to rotate the strike with ease, turning good balls into singles and maintaining complete control over the field placements. The middle order, led by Anmol Malhotra and Sanvir Singh, played with maturity, avoiding risky shots while keeping the scoreboard moving. This combination of steady strike rotation and timely boundary-hitting made the chase smooth and efficient. By the time they crossed the 200-run mark, the match was firmly in their hands, showcasing Punjab’s balanced batting strategy and their ability to chase targets confidently under pressure.
Match Details Key Stats: Nagaland Cricket Team vs Punjab Cricket Team Match ScorecardMatch InformationDetailInformationVenueADSA Railways Cricket Ground, AhmedabadDate23 December 2024ResultPunjab won by 5 wicketsTournamentVijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25TossPunjab elected to fieldPlayer of the MatchAnmolpreet Singh (55 2/14)PointsPunjab 4, Nagaland 0
Fall of Wickets – PunjabWicketScoreOverBatter100.1Prabhsimran29110.3Anmolpreet311013.2Abhishek415722.4Wadhera
Punjab showed depth and stability to close the chase without pressure.
Conclusion – Nagaland Cricket Team vs Punjab Cricket Team Match Scorecard
The Nagaland vs Punjab Group C clash in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024–25 delivered an impressive display of skill, determination, and tactical awareness from both teams. Nagaland showed strong resistance with gritty knocks from Dega Nischal and Chetan Bist, who anchored the innings under pressure. However, Punjab’s overall strength proved too dominant, with their aggressive batting approach and disciplined bowling performance tilting the match in their favor. The standout performer was Anmolpreet Singh, whose brilliant all-round showm scoring freely and picking key wickets played a decisive role in shaping the outcome of the contest.
Punjab’s convincing win not only secured them a valuable four points in the Group C standings but also enhanced their confidence for the upcoming matches. Their ability to chase the target with ease reflected strong team cohesion and batting depth. On the other hand, Nagaland will aim to refine their batting partnerships and sharpen their death-overs execution as the tournament progresses. Despite the defeat, the fighting spirit displayed by their top performers indicates promising potential for future fixtures.