SRINAGAR: Baroda enforced the follow-on against Jammu and Kashmir despite a fighting century from Umar Nazir Mir, leaving the visitors facing the prospect of an innings defeat in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match at the Reliance Cricket Stadium in Vadodara on Wednesday.
Jammu and Kashmir were bowled out for 303 in 77.5 overs in reply to Baroda’s first-innings total of 616. Forced to bat again, J&K reached 8 for one in six overs at stumps on the third day, trailing by 305 runs with nine wickets remaining.
Umar, batting at number nine, struck his maiden First-Class century, scoring 101 off 117 balls, including eight fours and seven sixes. His counter-attacking innings, alongside opener Qamran Iqbal’s 121, helped J&K recover from 117 for seven and cross the 300-run mark.
Iqbal faced 193 deliveries and hit 11 fours and five sixes in his innings. However, the two centuries were not enough to prevent Baroda from securing a substantial first-innings lead and enforcing the follow-on.
Baroda captain Atit Sheth spearheaded the bowling effort, taking four wickets for 60 runs, while Bhargav Bhatt claimed three for 55 to dismiss J&K.
Earlier, Baroda had amassed 616 in 169 overs, built around Priyanshu Moliya’s unbeaten 321. Mahesh Pithiya also contributed 102, strengthening the hosts’ commanding position.
J&K suffered an early setback in their second innings when Pithiya dismissed opener Shubham Khajuria for five. Qamran was unbeaten on three, while Kawalpreet Singh was yet to score at the close of play.
Jammu and Kashmir now face a difficult task on the final day as they seek to avoid an innings defeat and salvage a draw.
