SRINAGAR, OCT 2: Jammu and Kashmir found themselves in early trouble against the Rest of India on the second day of the Irani Cup at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium here on Friday, reaching 70 for four at tea and still trailing by 167 runs in the first innings.
Resuming their innings at 21 for two, J&K suffered another setback in the morning session as opener Shubham Khajuria was dismissed for just four runs, while Qamran Iqbal departed after scoring 24. The two dismissals left the hosts precariously placed at 37 for four, putting the innings under considerable pressure.
With the top order unable to withstand the Rest of India attack, the responsibility shifted to experienced campaigner Paras Dogra and all-rounder Abdul Samad, who responded with a valuable partnership to halt the slide. The duo negotiated the bowling attack with greater composure and ensured that J&K did not suffer further damage before the tea break.
At the interval, J&K had moved to 70 for four in 22 overs, with Dogra and Samad tasked with rebuilding the innings and narrowing the substantial first-innings deficit.
The Rest of India had posted 237 all out in their first innings on the opening day. Smaran Ravichandran was the principal contributor with a composed 68, anchoring the Rest of India’s batting effort.
J&K’s bowling attack had earlier kept the opposition under control, with Sunil Kumar and Lone Nasir Muzaffar claiming three wickets apiece, while Umar Nazir Mir returned figures of two wickets.
The final session assumes added importance for J&K, with the Dogra-Samad partnership now central to the hosts’ hopes of mounting a recovery. Avoiding further wickets and building a substantial partnership will be crucial if J&K are to reduce the first-innings deficit and put themselves back into contention.
Tea: Jammu & Kashmir 70/4 (22 overs); trail Rest of India by 167 runs.
