SRINAGAR, OCT 18: Debutant Kawal Preet Singh produced an impressive display of composure and stroke-making, scoring a commanding 96 to steer Jammu and Kashmir to a competitive first-innings total of 260 against Vidarbha on a green-top surface at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium here on Saturday. His authoritative knock proved instrumental in rescuing J&K from an early collapse and laying the foundation for a respectable total in challenging batting conditions.
Asked to bat first, Jammu and Kashmir suffered an early setback as openers Qamran Iqbal and Yawer Hassan departed for 9 and 21 respectively, leaving the side struggling at 31 for two. With the new ball providing assistance to the bowlers, J&K needed a substantial partnership to stabilise their innings and prevent Vidarbha from gaining complete control.
Kawal Preet rose to the occasion on his first appearance, joining skipper Paras Dogra to produce a crucial 111-run partnership that transformed the course of the innings. The duo displayed patience and sound technique, combining measured defence with timely attacking strokes to counter Vidarbha’s disciplined bowling attack. Their stand carried the total to 142 before Dogra was dismissed for a composed 36 off 67 deliveries, an innings featuring four boundaries and a six.
While Dogra provided stability at one end, Kawal Preet gradually established himself as the backbone of the J&K batting effort. The debutant showcased a blend of elegant stroke play, concentration and determination, finding the gaps with precision and punishing loose deliveries. His 96-run innings, studded with 12 boundaries, stood out for its authority on a surface that appeared to offer assistance to the bowlers. Falling just four runs short of a maiden first-class century, Kawal Preet nevertheless delivered a performance that could prove significant for his confidence and the team’s campaign.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rydham Sharma, drafted into the playing XI following Kanhaiya Wadhawan’s injury, made a valuable contribution on debut, scoring a composed 31 off 45 balls with the help of five boundaries. His innings helped sustain the momentum after the dismissal of Dogra and ensured that J&K continued to accumulate runs rather than allowing Vidarbha to dominate the middle order.
Nasir Lone added 21 runs, while Abid Mushtaq contributed 25 as Jammu and Kashmir continued to build their total through useful contributions from the lower order. The innings eventually concluded at 260 in 82.5 overs, giving the side a reasonable platform after the early loss of wickets.
For Vidarbha, Nachiket Bhute led the bowling effort with three wickets, while Yash Thakur and Rajneesh Gurbani claimed two wickets apiece. Praful Hinge and Harsh Dubey chipped in with one wicket each, helping their side restrict J&K to a total that leaves the contest open.
Kawal Preet’s near-century was the standout feature of J&K’s batting performance, particularly given the conditions and the pressure created by the early dismissals. His ability to hold the innings together and score freely when opportunities arose will offer encouragement to the team as the match progresses. Although the grassy surface appeared to provide assistance to the bowlers, the partnership between Kawal Preet and Dogra demonstrated that disciplined batting could still yield substantial rewards.
Another notable development was the decision by Jammu and Kashmir to make six changes to their playing XI from the side that featured against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy opener at the same venue. The extent of the changes marked a significant reshuffle and added another talking point to J&K’s campaign.
With 260 runs on the board, the focus now shifts to J&K’s bowling attack and its ability to exploit the same surface against Vidarbha. Kawal Preet’s assured debut has given the hosts a major positive, but the effectiveness of their bowlers will ultimately determine whether the total proves competitive enough to put the opposition under pressure.
