Pulwama: Despite a disciplined bowling effort on the final day of their quarterfinal, Jammu and Kashmir’s bowlers were unable to break through Kerala’s resilient batting line-up to force a result in their favour.
A crucial 115-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Mohammed Azharuddeen and Salman Nizar helped Kerala secure a hard-fought draw against J&K at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, steering their team into the Ranji Trophy Elite 2024-25 semi-finals.
Kerala advanced on the basis of their slender first-innings lead of just one run. Jammu & Kashmir posted 280 in their first innings, with Kerala narrowly edging ahead with 281. In the second innings, J&K declared at 399/9. Kerala displayed resilience, finishing at 295/6 in 126 overs, ensuring the draw and their progression to the next stage.
Kerala began the final day at 100/2, needing 299 for victory, but adopted a defensive approach. Sachin Baby and Akshay Chandran frustrated J&K with a 58-run stand over 43 overs. However, J&K’s spinners turned the tide before lunch, with Chandran falling to Shubham Khajuria at short leg. After the break, Sahil Lotra had Baby caught off a turning delivery, while Abid Mushtaq dismissed Saxena, who edged to slip after being deceived by a change in length. When Aditya Sarwate fell attempting an aerial shot off Mushtaq, Kerala seemed on the brink of defeat.
However, Nizar (44*) and Azharuddeen (67*) showed remarkable resilience, stonewalling J&K’s attack for nearly three hours to secure the draw.
Despite dominating much of the final day, J&K fell short of victory as Kerala’s lower order held firm.
Yudhvir Singh (2/61), Sahil Lotra (2/50), and Abid Mushtaq (2/56) picked up wickets, but Kerala’s determined resistance denied them victory.
With this draw, Kerala qualifies for the semi-finals based on their first-innings lead, keeping their Ranji Trophy campaign alive.
Jammu & Kashmir, despite an impressive fight, bows out of the tournament.
