Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 26: Jammu & Kashmir are on the cusp of a memorable Ranji Trophy Elite Group-A triumph over Rajasthan at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, thanks to a sensational all-round performance by Aquib Nabi. Resuming from an overnight 66/2, J&K lost Shubham Khajuria (21), skipper Paras Dogra (21) and wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan (1) early in the first session. However, Abdul Samad steadied the innings with a composed 76 off 118 balls, including 7 fours and 2 sixes, while Yudhvir Singh set the ground ablaze with a blistering 53 off 37 balls, striking 7 fours and 2 sixes. Nabi’s calm yet commanding innings of 55 runs off 65 balls, laced with 8 fours and 2 sixes, propelled J&K to a first-innings total of 282, securing a 130-run lead.
Rajasthan’s Deepak Chahar was impressive with the ball, claiming 4/39, while A.V. Choudhary and A. Sharma took three wickets each. In their second innings, Rajasthan crumbled under immense pressure, reduced to 41/5 as Nabi unleashed a fiery spell of 5 wickets for 5 runs in 6 overs, leaving the opposition reeling. Deepak Jagbir, unbeaten on 17, was the only batter to reach double figures.
With two days of play remaining and Rajasthan still trailing by 89 runs with five wickets in hand, Jammu & Kashmir look poised to register a commanding victory in this high-stake encounter.
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