SRINAGAR: Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir began their Ranji Trophy 2026–27 campaign with a draw against Madhya Pradesh at the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, but the visitors secured the points advantage by taking a 76-run first-innings lead.
Chasing a target of 326 after Madhya Pradesh declared their second innings at 249 for six, J&K slumped to 12 for five before reaching 88 for seven in 34 overs when rain and bad light brought the contest to an end on the fourth and final day.
Avesh Khan and Aryan Pandey dismantled the hosts’ top order, dismissing Shubham Khajuria, Qamran Iqbal, Shubham Pundir, Abdul Samad and captain Paras Dogra cheaply to leave J&K in a precarious position.
Kanhaiya Wadhawan and Lone Nasir Muzaffar briefly steadied the innings with a 39-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Muzaffar made 13 off 54 balls before falling to Pandey, while Vanshaj Sharma was dismissed for six by Ravi Kiran.
Wadhawan remained unbeaten on 27 from 51 deliveries, while Auqib Nabi scored an unbeaten 30 off 32 balls, including four fours and two sixes, as J&K finished at 88 for seven.
Avesh Khan and Pandey took three wickets each for Madhya Pradesh, while Kiran claimed one.
Earlier, Madhya Pradesh captain Shubham Sharma anchored his side’s second innings with an unbeaten 106 off 200 balls, striking seven fours and three sixes. Atharv Mahajan contributed 39, while Saransh Jain remained not out on 35 from 33 deliveries as the visitors declared at 249 for six.
Auqib Nabi took three wickets for J&K, Sunil Kumar claimed two and Rohit Sharma picked up one. Sharma’s century followed his first-innings contribution of 79, earning him the Player of the Match award.
J&K had been dismissed for 120 in their first innings after Madhya Pradesh posted 196, giving the visitors a 76-run lead. Rohit Sharma led the Madhya Pradesh bowling attack with five wickets for 36 runs, while Sunil Kumar took four wickets.
Qamran Iqbal top-scored for J&K with 31 runs, followed by Wadhawan, who remained unbeaten on 35. Shubham Pundir scored 20 and Abdul Samad added 17. For Madhya Pradesh, Avesh Khan and Aryan Pandey claimed three wickets apiece, Akshay Sharma took two and Ravi Kiran one.
The result leaves J&K to regroup as they begin the defence of their maiden Ranji Trophy title, won in the 2025–26 season after defeating Karnataka in the final at Hubballi and ending a 67-year wait for the championship.
J&K are scheduled to face Vidarbha in their second Elite Group A match from October 18 to 21.
