STATE TIMES NEWS
PUNE: Experienced campaigner and veteran of many battles, J&K skipper Paras Dogra displayed stellar grit and tenacity to notch up unconquered 73 runs, showing solidity, sublimity and elegance, thus putting J&K in a good position after conceding 1-run lead to Kerala in the ongoing Ranji Trophy Quarter-Final match at MCA Cricket Stadium Gahunje, Pune on Monday.
Earlier, resuming from an overnight score of 200/9, Kerala rode on the last wicket partnership of 81 runs between Salman Nizar and last man Basil Thampi to score 281 runs, thus gaining 1-run first innings lead over Jammu and Kashmir.
Nizar remained unbeaten on 112 runs off 172 balls with 12 fours and 4 sixes, while Thampi contributed 15 valuable runs. Earlier, Jalaj Saxena scored 67 runs off 78 balls studded with 6 fours and 3 sixes, while Nidheesh MD (32) and opener Akshay Chandran (29) were the other major contributors.
Speedster Auqib Nabi continued his bowling brilliance and captured 6 important wickets by conceding 53 runs in his 27 overs, thus emerging highest wicket-taker with 44 wickets among the fast bowlers across the country and solidifying his claim for Team India selection, while Yudhvir Singh and Sahil Lotra bagged 2 wickets each.
J&K were 181/3 in their second essay, thus leading by 180 runs with 7 wickets in hand. Skipper Paras Dogra, who had struggled with the willow during the season so far, was at the crease on 73 runs off 148 balls, studded with 7 fours and one six, while wicketkeeper batter Kanhaiya Wadhawan was unbeaten on 42 runs off 80 balls with 3 boundaries. While young Kanhaiya again showed the glimpses of his bright future, Paras showed why he is rated as the legend at the domestic circuit. Vivrant Sharma (37) and promising Yawer Hassan (16) were the other contributors, while batting mainstay and prolific run-getter Shubham Khajuria failed to deliver with the willow. Nidheesh MD took wickets for Kerala.
Earlier, on day-1, put into bat, J&K after early hiccups rode on valuable contributions by wicketkeeper batter Kanhaiya Wadhawan (48) and Nasir Lone (44) and scored 280 in their first innings. Sahil Lotra (35), Auqib Nabi (32), Yudhvir Singh (26), Yawer Hassan (24), Abid Mushtaq (19) and Umar Nazir (14 not out) were the other contributors.
Nidheesh MD was the pick of the bowlers for Kerala, who captured 6 wickets by conceding 75 runs in his 27 overs, while AA Sarwate bagged 2 wickets. Basil Thampi and Basil NP claimed one wicket each.
With three days of play gone and two more days left in the match, the match seems to be almost evenly poised with slight advantage to J&K. 60-40 in favour of Jammu and Kashmir at this stage.
SCOREBOARD
Jammu & Kashmir 1st Innings 280/10
Kerala 1st Innings
Akshay Chandran c sub (VY Sharma) b Sahil Lotra 29
Rohan Kunnummal c Vivrant Sharma b Auqib Nabi 01
Shoun Roger c †Wadhawan b Auqib Nabi 00
Sachin Baby (c) b Auqib Nabi 02
Jalaj Saxena c Umar Nazir b Auqib Nabi 67
Salman Nizar not out 112
Mohammed Azharuddeen † lbw b Yudhvir Singh 15
Aditya Sarwate c Khajuria b Yudhvir Singh 01
MD Nidheesh c & b Sahil Lotra 30
Nedumankuzhy Basil b Auqib Nabi 00
Basil Thampi c Vivrant Sharma b Auqib Nabi 15
Extras 9
Total 281/10
Jammu & Kashmir 2nd Innings
Shubham Khajuria c †Mohd Azharuddeen b Nidheesh 02
Yawer Hassan c Sachin Baby b Nidheesh 16
Vivrant Sharma c Sachin Baby b Basil 37
Paras Dogra (c) not out 73
Kanhaiya Wadhawan † not out 42
Extras 10
Total 180/3
