Pulwama, Jan 31: At the close of play on Day 2, the Jammu & Kashmir cricket team took a solid lead of 205 runs against Baroda in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash at Reliance Stadium, Vadodara.
Earlier in the day, J&K’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, bundling out the hosts for 166 in their first innings. The J&K team ended the day at 125/1 in 41 overs, consolidating their position in the match. Opener Shubham Khajuria led the charge with an unbeaten 67 off 115 balls, anchoring the innings after an early breakthrough.
He was supported by Yawer Hassan, who played a patient knock of 36 off 99 balls before falling lbw to Mahesh Pithiya. Vivrant Sharma remained unbeaten on 17 off 32 balls. In their first innings, Baroda struggled against J&K’s disciplined bowling attack and were dismissed for 166 in 62.1 overs, conceding an 80-run first-innings deficit.
Shivalik Sharma fought hard with a 64 off 195 balls, but lack of support from the rest of the line-up hampered Baroda’s progress. Krunal Pandya,18 off 66, and Mitesh Patel,19 off 20, made brief contributions, but regular wickets prevented any significant partnerships. Jammu & Kashmir’s bowlers were clinical, with left-arm spinner Sahil Lotra claiming 4 wickets for 26 runs in 25.1 overs, maintaining an economy rate of just 1.00. Shubham Khajuria and Abid Mushtaq chipped in with three wickets each, ensuring Baroda never gained momentum.
Earlier, J&K had posted a competitive 246 in 71.3 overs in their first innings. With a commanding lead and nine wickets in hand, Jammu and Kashmir will aim to further tighten their grip on Day 3, while Baroda faces an uphill battle to stage a comeback.
