J&K defeats Baroda by 182 runs in Ranji Trophy group clash

Pulwama, Feb 2: Jammu and Kashmir Cricket team continued their dominant run in the Ranji Trophy, securing a comprehensive 182-run victory over Baroda to register their fifth consecutive win in the group stage of the tournament.
Powered by Sahil Lotra’s 11-wicket match haul and Kanhaiya Wadhawan’s vital batting contributions, J&K’s victory cemented their position at the top of the points table in Elite Group A with 35 points.
From the start, J&K took control of the match, posting 246 runs in their first innings. Kanhaiya Wadhawan played a crucial role, scoring 71 off 94 balls. His knock, which included eight boundaries at a strike rate of 75.53, anchored the innings and provided a competitive total despite other batters failing to capitalize on their starts. J&K’s bowlers, led by Lotra, put Baroda under immense pressure in their first innings. Lotra claimed 4 wickets for 26 runs in 25.1 overs, maintaining an economy rate of 1.00, with 11 maiden overs. His precision helped J&K bowl out Baroda for just 166, securing a vital 80-run first-innings lead. Abid Mushtaq also contributed with the ball, keeping J&K in control.
With a crucial lead in hand, J&K came out strong in their second innings, determined to set a large target. Shubham Khajuria anchored the innings with a solid knock of 94 off 178 balls, hitting 11 boundaries at a strike rate of 52.81. He fell just six runs short of a well-deserved century, caught by Akash Maharaj Singh off Mahesh Pithiya’s bowling. Wadhawan once again stood out, scoring 84 off 122 balls, including 11 boundaries at a strike rate of 68.85. His crucial knock helped J&K set a formidable target of 349 for Baroda.
In their second innings, Baroda showed some early resistance, but Sahil Lotra returned to dominate once again. He single-handedly dismantled Baroda’s batting, taking an impressive 7 wickets for 75 runs in 26 overs. Lotra finished with a match haul of 11 wickets for 101 runs in 51.1 overs. Abid Mushtaq also played a supporting role, taking 3 wickets for 71 runs. Apart from Vishnu Solanki who made 42 off 56 balls, Baroda’s batting crumbled under pressure, and they were bowled out for 182 in 54.5 overs.
This victory extends J&K’s unbeaten run in the tournament, which started with two draws against Maharashtra and Odisha, followed by impressive wins over Services, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mumbai, and now Baroda.
With the win against Baroda, Jammu and Kashmir has secured its place in the knockout stage.
The Jammu and Kashmir cricket team made Ranji Trophy debut during 1959-60 season and secured its first victory in the 1982-83 season, defeating Services by four wickets in a thrilling 3-day match.
It was in 2001-02 the team qualified for the Ranji Trophy knockout stage for the first time in its history. This feat was repeated in the 2013-14 and 2019-20 seasons of the tournament. Dr. Rouf ur Rafiq, a sports enthusiast from Pulwama, expressed his admiration for the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team’s performance in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, calling it the best since 2019. He praised the team’s all-round performance. “The team is playing as a unit and showing exceptional skill in all departments including bowling, batting, and fielding,” Dr. Rouf said.
He added that the morale of the team is at an all-time high after their win against defending champions Mumbai. “We expect our players to continue performing well in the next phase, and our prayers are with them,” he said, expressing hope for their continued success.