Smaran rescues RoI after J&K bowlers leave them in tatters

Smaran rescues RoI after J&K bowlers leave them in tatters

Ranji Trophy champions Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) made a strong start to the Irani Cup, restricting Rest of India (RoI) to 237 on the opening day at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar. Opting to bowl on a spicy wicket, J&K bowlers led by three-fers from Sunil Kumar and Lone Nasir Muzaffar kept RoI on the backfoot for much of the day. However, an important half-century from Smaran Ravichandran lifted RoI past the 200-mark, which could prove critical given J&K were reduced to 21 for 2.

J&K were without spearhead Auqib Nabi, who is with the national side in the ongoing ODI series against West Indies. New-ball bowlers Umar Mir and Sunil kept RoI's batters in check. Sunil struck in the fourth over to dismiss Sanat Sangwan, while Nasir Lone accounted for Sudip Kumar Gharami.

RoI countered through the pair of Shikhar Mohan and Sarfaraz Khan, who stitched an enterprising 76-run stand for the third wicket. Sarfaraz relied on backfoot play and upper-cuts against the short ball. Mohan was fluent, striking nine fours and a six before chasing an expansive drive and edging Nasir Lone behind to keeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan.

RoI captain Rishabh Pant walked in at No.5 and was largely kept quiet. However, against the run of play, Sarfaraz edged Umar Nazir behind to fall for 45. In his next over, Nazir had Pant hit one straight to cover. From 108 for 2, RoI quickly slipped to 155 for 7.

Smaran then took over, putting on 39 with Akash Deep. The partnership was dominated by the fast bowler, who hit two fours and a six in his 24-ball 22. After Deep's dismissal, Smaran hit 38 off 32 in a 43-run stand with No.10 Mukesh Choudhary. Smaran was eventually dismissed for 68, but not before giving the RoI total much-needed heft.

The momentum stayed with RoI through the seven overs of the second innings played under fading light. Mukesh Choudhary dismissed Shubham Pundir. J&K sent Umar Nazir as a nighthawk, but he lasted just nine balls before nicking off against Akash Deep one ball before close of play.

Brief scores: Rest of India 237 (Smaran Ravichandran 68, Shikhar Mohan 60; Sunil Kumar 3-36, Lone Nasir Muzaffar 3-59) lead Jammu & Kashmir 21/2 (Mukesh Choudhary 1-3) by 216 runs