SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir ended Day 1 at 228 for 8 in their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match against Kerala at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, on Saturday.
Yudhvir Singh remained unbeaten on 17 off 21 balls, while Auqib Nabi was on 5 off 4 balls at stumps.
Kerala’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the day, with MD Nidheesh taking 5 wickets for 56 runs in 23 overs. Nedumankuzhy Basil also contributed with one wicket for 59 runs in 20 overs.
Jammu and Kashmir reached the quarterfinals after winning five out of seven matches in the Elite Group A, finishing at the top of the table with 35 points. Kerala, with three wins and four draws, secured the second spot with 28 points.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Playing XI included Shubham Khajuria, Yawer Hassan, Vivrant Sharma, captain Paras Dogra, wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan, Sahil Lotra, Lone Nasir Muzaffar, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Abid Mushtaq, Auqib Nabi Dar, and Umar Nazir Mir.
Earlier in the innings, Abid Mushtaq and Yudhvir Singh added crucial runs before Abid was dismissed. Kerala’s bowlers controlled the scoring rate and prevented major partnerships, restricting J&K’s total.
With two wickets in hand, Jammu and Kashmir will aim to add more runs on Day 2, while Kerala will look to wrap up the innings quickly. (KNO)
