Ranji Trophy: Auqib Nabi’s 7-Wicket Spell Gives Jammu Kashmir Crucial Lead | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: A superb seam bowling display from Auqib Nabi helped Jammu and Kashmir secure a crucial first-innings lead over Madhya Pradesh on the second day of their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal in Indore on Saturday. By stumps, JK held a 126-run overall advantage.

Nabi’s devastating spell of 7 for 40 dismantled the MP batting line-up, restricting the hosts to 152 and giving JK a 42-run lead in the first innings. The pacer maintained a full length and generated late movement, dismissing Harsh Gawali (10) and Himanshu Mantri (0) with deliveries that angled in. Captain Rajat Patidar also fell cheaply, edging to slip.

Before lunch, JK bowlers tested Venkatesh Iyer and Yash Dubey, with the latter duo defending resolutely. Post-lunch, Nabi struck again, removing Venkatesh Iyer for 22. Soon after, Dubey, MP’s most composed batter, fell for 58, caught by a diving Abdul Samad at slip.

JK continued to dominate with their seamers. Kuldeep Sen, who had taken a five-wicket haul in the first innings, dismissed opener Yawer Hassan and Shubham Pundir with pace and bounce. Kuldeep’s new-ball partner Aryan Pandey left the field injured, allowing Venkatesh to step in with medium pace, taking two key wickets—Paras Dogra (17) and Abdul Samad (caught off a short delivery).

JK finished the day on 84 for five, keeping the contest alive and leaving room for an MP fightback in the remaining sessions.