SRINAGAR, OCT 2: Jammu & Kashmir staged a determined fightback against Rest of India in the Irani Trophy, with skipper Paras Dogra, Abdul Samad and bowling all-rounder Nasir Lone Mushasir striking valuable half-centuries to secure a crucial 41-run first-innings lead at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium here on Friday.
Resuming at 21 for two, J&K faced sustained pressure from a quality Rest of India bowling attack but responded through a combination of patience and calculated aggression. Dogra provided the stability, Samad maintained the momentum and Nasir delivered the acceleration as the hosts recovered from their early setbacks and moved into a position of advantage.
Dogra led from the front, compiling a composed 75 off 143 balls, with six fours and one six. The J&K captain absorbed the pressure at a critical stage, occupying the crease and providing the platform around which the middle order could build.
Abdul Samad capitalised on that foundation with an assured 57 off 88 deliveries, hitting five fours and a six. His controlled strokeplay kept the scoreboard moving and gradually forced the Rest of India bowlers to defend rather than dictate terms.
The acceleration came from Nasir Lone Mushasir, who produced the most aggressive innings of the J&K effort. He smashed 64 off only 58 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, taking the attack to the bowlers and substantially improving the scoring rate.
The three half-centuries proved pivotal in J&K’s recovery, transforming an uncertain start into a first-innings advantage. Their contrasting approaches allowed the hosts to withstand pressure while still maintaining the scoring momentum required to move ahead of Rest of India.
For the visitors, Mukesh Choudhary was the leading wicket-taker, claiming five for 78 in 19 overs. Akash Deep took three wickets, while Mukesh Kumar claimed two, ensuring that J&K were unable to build an even larger advantage.
Rest of India had earlier scored 237 in their first innings, leaving J&K with a 41-run lead. The visitors returned for their second innings with the immediate task of wiping out the deficit but suffered an early setback.
At 24 for one, Rest of India remained 17 runs behind J&K. Sanat Kumar was unbeaten on 10 and Sudip Kumar Gharsmi on 10, while Shikhar Mohan was dismissed for two by left-arm seamer Sunil Kumar.
The equation has left the contest finely poised. Rest of India need to overcome the remaining deficit before building a meaningful second-innings lead, while J&K will look to strike again with the ball and prevent the visitors from establishing a substantial partnership.
For J&K, the immediate advantage is the result of a disciplined recovery from 21 for two, led by three batsmen who responded to the situation in different ways. Dogra’s resilience, Samad’s strokeplay and Nasir’s attacking innings have given the hosts a valuable cushion as the match moves into its next phase.
With Rest of India still behind on aggregate, J&K’s bowling unit now has an opportunity to build on the work of its batsmen and put further pressure on the visitors in what remains a closely contested Irani Trophy encounter.
