Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 25: In an extraordinary upset, Jammu and Kashmir has claimed a 5-wicket victory over the defending champions Mumbai, securing a spot in the knockout stage of the ongoing Ranji Trophy from Elite Group-A. The match took place at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy Ground BKC in Mumbai, with J&K successfully chasing down a target of 205 runs to achieve a historic win.
This impressive achievement came against a formidable Mumbai squad that included India’s Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma, former captain and veteran of over 80 matches Ajinkya Rahane, ODI regular and IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer, rising star opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, seasoned all-rounder Shardul Thakur, and off-spinner Tanush Kotian, who had recently been part of the Border-Gavaskar series.
Rohit’s return to Ranji Trophy after a decade saw him struggling for form, scoring only 31 runs in two innings, displaying signs of being out of rhythm and unable to withstand lengthy play.
This marked J&K’s second victory over Mumbai in Ranji Trophy history, the first occurring in 2014. After setting a target of 205, Mumbai resumed their second innings with Shardul Thakur unbeaten at 113 runs overnight. Thakur could manage only 6 additional runs, finishing with 119 (135 balls), while Tanush Kotian contributed 62 runs. Mumbai reached a total of 290 in their second innings, setting J&K the target.
Jammu and Kashmir started their reply with strong foundations. Makeshift opener Yawer Hassan (24) and dependable Shubham Khajuria (45) forged a solid opening partnership worth 37 runs. The momentum continued with Vivrant Sharma (38) and Shubham forming a 75-run partnership for the second wicket, followed by a quick cameo from Abdul Samad (24), all contributing to J&K inching closer to the target. Contributions from Abid Mushtaq (30), Paras Dogra (15), and Kanhaiya Wadhawan (19) ensured J&K reached 206/5, clinching victory.
On the bowling side, Shams Mulani stood out for Mumbai, taking 4 wickets, while Mohit Avasthi claimed 1. Earlier, Mumbai’s batting faltered, only amassing 120 runs in the first innings due to the exceptional bowling from J&K, led by Yudhvir Singh, Umar Nazir, and Aaqib Nabi. Yudhvir (4/31) and Umar (4/41) were particularly effective, with Nabi contributing with 2 wickets for 36 runs.
In the first innings, Mumbai’s Shardul Thakur was the top scorer with 51 runs, while Tanush Kotian added 26 runs. The credit for dismantling Mumbai’s batting lineup goes largely to J&K’s fast bowlers.
Jammu and Kashmir’s triumph over Mumbai signifies a significant accomplishment for the team, showcasing exceptional talent, skill, and determination throughout the match. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) Sub-Committee, comprising Brig Anil Gupta, Mithun Manhas, and Sunil Sethi, commended the team for their outstanding performance. They extended their praises to the players and the support staff, including Head Coach Ajay Sharma and Captain Paras Dogra, for leading the team to this historic win.
With this victory, Jammu and Kashmir has solidified its place in the knockout stages of the Ranji Trophy, eagerly looking towards further successes in this prestigious tournament.
Brief Scores
Mumbai: 120 and 290 (Shardul Thakur 119, Tanush Kotian 62; Aaqib Nabi 4/80, Yudhvir Singh 3/63).
Jammu and Kashmir: 206 and (target 205) 207/5 (Shubham Khajuria 45, Vivrant Sharma 38, Abid Mushtaq 32 not out; Shams Mulani 4/54). J&K won by 5 wickets.
“What an incredible achievement by the J&K Ranji Trophy team. Defeating the defending champions on their own grounds is a memorable milestone. Congratulations to the players, the management, and the support staff. We are all immensely proud of you,” said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on X.
Leave a Reply