NEW DELHI: Seamer Auqib Nabi delivered a match-defining all-round performance, backing up his valuable contribution with the bat with a superb five-wicket haul to put Jammu and Kashmir in control against Kerala on the second day of their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal in Pune on Sunday.
Kerala, responding to J&K’s first-innings total of 280, found themselves in deep trouble at 200 for nine by stumps, trailing by 80 runs with just one wicket remaining.
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Earlier, J&K, resuming from their overnight score of 228 for eight, managed to add 52 more runs, thanks to Nabi’s aggressive 30-ball 32 and an unbeaten 14 from Umar Nazir Mir.
Nabi, 28, was the standout performer with the ball, dismantling Kerala’s top and middle order to claim figures of 5/36 in 19 overs—his eighth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. His scalps included four recognized batters, making his effort even more special.
For Kerala, veteran all-rounder Jalaj Saxena led the resistance with a 67-run knock off 78 balls, striking six fours and three sixes. Salman Nizar, unbeaten on 49 at stumps, provided crucial support with eight boundaries in his 75-ball innings.
Lower down the order, pacer MD Nidheesh contributed 30 off 36 balls before falling to Sahil Lotra. Nidheesh was also Kerala’s most successful bowler, returning figures of 6/75 in 27 overs. Aditya Sarwate, another outstation player like Saxena, chipped in with 2/34 as J&K were bowled out in 95.1 overs.
J&K’s bowling unit delivered a well-rounded performance, with Yudhvir Singh (2/61) and Sahil Lotra (2/9) providing valuable support to Nabi.
What hurt Kerala the most was their lack of partnerships, apart from the crucial 94-run stand between Saxena and Nizar.
With only one wicket remaining, J&K will look to wrap up Kerala’s innings quickly on Day 3 and build on their advantage.
Brief scores:
Jammu and Kashmir 1st innings: 280 all out in 95.1 overs (Kanhaiya Wadhawan 48, Lone Nasir 44; MD Nidheesh 6/75)
Kerala 1st innings: 200/9 in 63 overs (Jalaj Saxena 67, Salman Nizar batting 49; Auqib Nabi 5/36).
