SRINAGAR: Puducherry reached 261 for six in 77 overs at stumps on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match against Jammu and Kashmir at the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar on Monday.
After winning the toss and opting to field, Jammu and Kashmir managed to restrict the visitors to six wickets but were unable to dismiss them before the close of play.
Puducherry captain Neyan Shyam Kangayan led the batting effort with a composed 70 off 126 deliveries, providing stability to the visitors’ innings. Mohit Kale further strengthened the middle order with 73 runs before being run out.
The two half-centuries helped Puducherry build a competitive first-innings total despite regular breakthroughs from the J&K bowling attack.
Pacer Sunil Kumar was the most successful bowler for Jammu and Kashmir, claiming three wickets for 59 runs from his 20 overs. Umar Nazir Mir and Waseem Khanday picked up one wicket each.
At the end of the day’s play, Prasad Pawar was unbeaten on one, while Aman Khan was batting on nine as Puducherry finished at 261 for six.
Jammu and Kashmir will look to make early inroads on the second morning and prevent the visitors from extending their total towards a substantial first-innings score.
J&K fielded Shubham Khajuria, Qamran Iqbal, Paras Dogra (captain), Abdul Samad, Rydham Sharma (wicketkeeper), Kawalpreet Singh, Sahil Lotra, Umar Nazir Mir, Sunil Kumar, Rohit Sharma and Waseem Khanday.
Puducherry’s playing XI comprised Neyan Shyam Kangayan (captain), Ritesh Gudge, Nikhil Gangta, Mohit Kale, Prasad Pawar (wicketkeeper), Aman Khan, Sagar Trivedi, Ankit Sharma, Sagar Udeshi, Gaurav Yadav and Tahir Bhat.
The four-day encounter is part of the Ranji Trophy 2026–27 Elite Group A league stage.
