SRINAGAR, OCT 3: An authoritative unbeaten century by Smaran Ravichandran kept Rest of India in front, but Jammu & Kashmir’s disciplined bowling attack ensured that the Irani Trophy contest remained finely poised at the close of an absorbing third day at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium.
Resuming their second innings at 24 for one, Rest of India appeared to be losing control of the contest after being reduced to 197 for eight. However, Smaran produced a counter-attacking 126 not out to change the complexion of the innings, combining with tailender Mukesh Choudhary for a valuable 109-run ninth-wicket partnership.
Smaran’s innings was a display of controlled aggression and composure under pressure. The left-hander faced 131 deliveries, hitting 15 boundaries and five sixes, as he carried his bat through the late stages of the innings and prevented J&K from wrapping up the innings quickly.
The partnership with Choudhary proved particularly significant. With wickets falling at regular intervals, Choudhary adopted a defensive approach and occupied the crease for 47 balls to score nine runs, allowing Smaran the freedom to attack and push Rest of India beyond the 300-run mark.
At stumps, Rest of India had reached 306 for eight, giving them a 265-run overall lead with two wickets still in hand and leaving J&K with a challenging task when play resumes.
For J&K, the bowling effort was led by pacer Umar Nazir Mir and off-spinner Sahil Lotra, who claimed three wickets apiece. Sunil Kumar and Lone Nasir Muzaffar contributed one wicket each as the J&K attack repeatedly created pressure and prevented Rest of India from building a dominant position through the middle phase of the innings.
The late resurgence nevertheless shifted the pressure back towards the hosts. With Rest of India already holding a substantial lead and two wickets remaining, J&K will be looking to finish the innings quickly and keep the eventual target within a manageable range.
The match situation has been shaped by contrasting batting efforts across the three innings. Rest of India were dismissed for 237 in their first innings, with Smaran Ravichandran scoring 68 and Shikhar Mohan contributing 60. J&K’s first-innings response was considerably stronger, as they amassed 378, establishing a 141-run first-innings advantage.
Paras Dogra top-scored with 75, while Lone Nasir Muzaffar made 64 and Abdul Samad added 57 to provide J&K with crucial contributions throughout the innings.
For Rest of India, Mukesh Choudhary was the standout bowler in J&K’s first innings, finishing with five wickets for 78 runs. Akash Deep claimed three for 43, while Mukesh Kumar took two wickets for 84.
The equation heading into the fourth day remains intriguing. Rest of India’s lead has already crossed 250, but J&K’s bowlers have demonstrated that they can continue to create breakthroughs on the wearing Sher-e-Kashmir surface. The two remaining Rest of India wickets could therefore prove decisive in determining the size of the final target.
A lead extending significantly beyond the 300-run mark would place additional pressure on J&K’s batting unit, particularly on a surface that is expected to offer increasing assistance to the bowlers as the game progresses. At the same time, an early J&K breakthrough could prevent Rest of India from stretching the advantage further and keep the contest within reach.
The fourth day is consequently set up as a crucial phase of the Irani Trophy encounter, with Smaran’s unbeaten 126, J&K’s three-wicket hauls from Umar Nazir Mir and Sahil Lotra, and the contrasting first-innings performances leaving both sides with a realistic route towards controlling the decisive stages of the match.
Brief Scores
Rest of India 1st innings: 237
Smaran Ravichandran 68, Shikhar Mohan 60.
J&K bowling: Sunil Kumar 3/36, Lone Nasir Muzaffar 3/59.
J&K 1st innings: 378
Paras Dogra 75, Lone Nasir Muzaffar 64, Abdul Samad 57.
Rest of India bowling: Mukesh Choudhary 5/78, Akash Deep 3/43, Mukesh Kumar 2/84.
Rest of India 2nd innings: 306/8
Smaran Ravichandran 126*, Sanat Sangwan 55, Saransh Jain 25, Mukesh Choudhary 9.
J&K bowling: Umar Nazir Mir 3, Sahil Lotra 3, Sunil Kumar 1, Lone Nasir Muzaffar 1.
Rest of India lead: 265 runs, with two wickets remaining.
