Pulwama, Feb 11: With 299 runs to defend, the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team needs eight wickets to defeat Kerala in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune and secure a spot in the semi-finals.
At stumps on Day 4, Kerala was 100/2 in their second innings, with Akshay Chandran unbeaten on 32 off 100 balls and Sachin Baby on 19 off 59. The pair added 30 runs off 111 deliveries in a cautious stand after J&K set a challenging target of 399.
After posting 280 in the first innings, J&K’s Auqib Nabi delivered a brilliant spell, claiming 6/53 to restrict Kerala to 281. Salman Nizar’s unbeaten 112 was instrumental in Kerala securing a slender one-run first-innings lead. In J&K’s second innings, captain Paras Dogra led from the front with a well-crafted 132, while Kanhaiya Wadhawan (64) provided solid support. Their efforts, along with useful lower-order contributions, helped J&K declare at 399/9.
In response, Kerala started steadily, with Rohan Kunnummal scoring an attacking 36 off 39 balls, including seven boundaries. However, he was the first to fall, caught by Kanhaiya Wadhawan off Yudhvir Singh Charak. Soon after, Shoun Roger departed for 6 off 19 balls, also falling to Yudhvir, leaving Kerala at 70/2.
Akshay Chandran and Sachin Baby then steadied the innings, playing patiently to ensure no further wickets fell before the close of play.
J&K’s bowlers maintained a disciplined approach, with Yudhvir Singh leading the attack, finishing the day with 2/31 in 9 overs. Auqib Nabi was economical, returning figures of 12-5-22-0, while Sahil Lotra kept things tight, conceding just nine runs in seven overs.
With 299 runs still required and eight wickets in hand, Kerala faces a tough challenge on the final day. Cricket experts believe the match is finely balanced, with both teams having a chance to win. However, J&K must secure an outright victory to progress, as Kerala will advance in the event of a draw due to their slender first-innings lead.
BRIEF SCORES
J&K 1st innings: 280/10 Kanhaiya Wadhawan 48 Nasir Lone 44 Nidheesh MD 6/53
Kerala 1st innings: 281/10 Salman Nizar 112 Jalaj Saxena 67 Auqib Nabi 6/53
J&K 2nd innings: 399/9dl
Paras Dogra 132 Kanhaiya Wadhawan 64 Sahil Lotra 59 Nidheesh MD 4/89 AA Sarvate 2/76
Kerala 2nd innings:
100/3 Rohan Kunnummal 36 Akshay Chandran 32 Yudhvir Singh 2/31.
