Ranji Trophy | Avesh and Aryan skittle out J&K for 120 to give M.P. the edge

Madhya Pradesh has the edge, but Jammu and Kashmir has a foothold in their Group A Ranji Trophy fixture.

After bowling out J&K for 120 to take a 76-run first-innings lead, M.P. ended the second day at 59 for four, ahead by 135 runs, with Auqib Nabi’s late strikes keeping the host in the contest.

Making the most of the overcast conditions at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium on Monday, Avesh Khan struck in his first over, removing night-watchman Vanshaj Sharma and setting the tone for a difficult day for J&K.

Continued struggle

Operating round the wicket, Avesh (three for 29) and Aryan Pandey (three for 44) maintained a disciplined line and length to strike regularly. There were no demons in the pitch, but even experienced campaigners Qamran Iqbal and Paras Dogra struggled to find a way through.

Dogra and Abdul Samad were expected to lead the recovery, but Avesh changed his angle and tempted the captain into a cover drive. Yash Dubey held the catch at gully.

J&K went into lunch at 88 for five, but the slide continued after the break. Samad, Nasir Lone and Auqib departed in quick succession as the lower order failed to offer much resistance.

From the dugout, M.P. coach Chandrakant Pandit urged his bowlers to remain disciplined and stick to their plans. They delivered, giving him the upper hand in his tactical duel with J&K coach Ajay Sharma.

After a quiet outing in the first innings, Nabi hit back with the ball. Qamran took a sharp catch at gully to dismiss Harsh Gawli before Nabi had Himanshu Mantri caught at slip by Shubham Pundir within five deliveries. M.P. soon slipped to 56 for four with Sunil Kumar also striking at crucial moments.

M.P. remains in command with Shubham Sharma at the crease, but J&K needs early wickets to stay in the hunt.

The scores:

Madhya Pradesh — 1st innings: 196.

Jammu & Kashmir — 1st innings: Qamran Iqbal c Gawli b Aryan 31, Shubham Khajuria lbw b Avesh 0, Vanshaj Sharma lbw b Avesh 1, Shubham Pundir c Mantri b Akshay 20, Paras Dogra c Dubey b Avesh 8, Abdul Samad c&b Ravi Kiran 17, Kanhaiya Wadhawan (not out) 35, Nasir Lone c Gawli b Akshay 1, Aquib Nabi c Sharma b Aryan 2, Sunil Kumar b Aryan 0, Rohit Sharma run out 0; Extras (b-1, lb-4): 5; Total (in 46.3 overs): 120.

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-7, 3-41, 4-62, 5-68, 6-88, 7-89, 8-95, 9-117.

M.P. bowling: Ravi Kiran 11-2-23-1, Aryan 13-2-29-3, Avesh 11.3-2-44-3, Akshay 10-4-18-2, Saransh 1-0-1-0.

Madhya Pradesh — 2nd innings: Harsh Gawli c Iqbal b Nabi 11, Yash Dubey c Wadhawan b Sunil 22, Himanshu Mantri c Pundir b Nabi 0, Shubham Sharma (batting) 15, Chanchal Rathore c Samad b Sunil 8, Aryan Pandey (batting) 0; Extras (lb-1, nb-2): 3; Total (for 4 wkts. in 27 overs) 59.

Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-30, 3-40, 4-56.

J&K bowling: Nabi 8-2-19-2, Sunil 10-3-14-2, Rohit 8-2-24-0, Vanshaj 1-0-1-0.