Srinagar, Oct 1: Jammu and Kashmir produced an impressive bowling performance on the opening day of the Irani Cup, dismissing Rest of India for 237 before losing two quick wickets late in the day at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.
At stumps, J&K were 21 for two in seven overs, trailing Rest of India by 216 runs, with Shubham Khajuria and Qamran Iqbal at the crease.
The hosts’ bowling effort was particularly noteworthy given the absence of some of their prominent pace options. J&K’s standout pacer Auqib Nabi was unavailable for the fixture, while tall pacer Yudhvir Singh Charak and experienced fast bowler Umran Malik were also missing from the line-up.
Despite the absences, J&K’s bowling unit rose to the occasion and kept the Rest of India batters under sustained pressure throughout the innings.
Sunil Kumar was the pick of the J&K bowlers, claiming three wickets for 36 runs from 20.1 overs. Lone Nasir also impressed with three wickets, while Umar Nazir picked up two wickets. Abid Mushtaq and Sahil Lotra claimed one wicket each.
Rest of India, after being asked to bat first, struggled to build substantial partnerships. Ravichandran Smaran top-scored with 68, while Shikhar Mohan made 60. Sarfaraz Khan contributed 45, but the rest of the batting line-up could not provide sustained support as Rest of India were bowled out for 237 in 68.1 overs.
J&K’s bowlers maintained pressure by striking at regular intervals. They reduced Rest of India to 32 for two before Shikhar Mohan and Sarfaraz Khan attempted to rebuild the innings. Once that partnership was broken, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
In reply, J&K’s start was far from ideal. Shubham Singh Pundir was dismissed for one, before Umar Nazir, promoted into the batting order, was dismissed for five by Akash Deep.
The two early wickets left J&K at 21 for two after seven overs, bringing an end to an eventful opening day in which their bowlers largely dominated proceedings.
