Gangtok: Manipur 17-year-old Jotin Pherojiam Singh became only the fourth Indian bowler to take nine wickets on his first-class debut. The medium pacer helped Sikkim to 220 runs on the second day of their Plate Group match at Rangpo.
Pheiroijiam finished with figures of 9/69 in the first innings, the fourth highest by an Indian debutant in the format and tenth overall. At one point, it looked like Pheiroijiam would become the first Indian bowler to take all 10 wickets on his first-class debut and the third overall.
England’s Albert Moss (10/38 in 1889–90) and West Indian cricketer Fitz Hinds (10/36 in 1900–01) are the only two in cricket history to have taken 10 wickets in an innings on first-class debut.
Interestingly, it was his own catch that denied Pheiroijiam the record. He took a fine catch at fine leg to end Sikkim’s innings by dismissing Tarun Sharma off Rex Rajkumar Singh. Rex is the first player from North East to take ten wickets in an innings. Then the 18-year-old Rex achieved this rare feat in the 2018 Cooch Behar Trophy. Pheiroijiam and Rex share a hotel room here and play for the same club in Manipur.
Pheiroijiam said he does not regret losing the record. “In the game of cricket, you take advantage of every opportunity. And it was important for us to restrict Sikkim to a low score.
Although he had dreamed of taking 10 wickets in an innings, Pheiroijiam , who started playing competitive cricket at the age of 7 in Manipur, said the record was “unexpected and a dream come true”.
Thanks to his brilliant effort, Manipur restricted the home side to 220, a first innings lead of 34 runs. Manipur were bowled out for 193 on the third day on Thursday, leaving hosts Sikkim chasing 160 runs. At the end of the third day, Sikkim scored 21 runs without the loss of a wicket and 139 runs to chase by the fourth day.
The 12th standard student loves playing against the Sikkim team. In his last match against Sikkim in the Coach Behar Trophy, a four-day tournament for U-19 cricketers, Pheiroijiam scored centuries in both innings (127 and an unbeaten 124) and took eight wickets in the match.
