Jammu and Kashmir more or less have one hand on the Ranji Trophy after bundling out Karnataka for 293 to take the all-important first-innings lead of 291 in the summit clash in Hubballi. Auqib Nabi starred for J&K, bagging yet another five-for to finish as the leading wicket-taker in this season’s Ranji Trophy. Among his five scalps was Mayank Agarwal (160), the bedrock of Karnataka’s innings.
For large parts of the first session, it was about Mayank squaring off against Nabi. The veteran opener was intent on stepping out of his crease to counter the late movement Nabi was extracting. To a large extent, Mayank succeeded in his endeavour.
He also employed the late cut and the pull effectively to accumulate runs. Eventually, he reached 150 via an edge through the slip cordon. However, Dikshant Kundal, the keeper substituting for the injured Kanhaiya Wadhawan, should have pouched the chance.
All the while, Nabi appeared to be studying Mayank’s method of batting outside the crease. He executed his plan to perfection by bringing one back in sharply to trap Mayank in front. The on-field umpire ruled it not out, but the decision was overturned on review.
Shikhar Shetty was Nabi’s next victim, as he claimed his fifth wicket – a reward for his perseverance and ability to generate late movement both ways. Prasidh Krishna was the last man dismissed.
Prasidh then returned to clean up Yawer Hassan. The pace bowler had bowled with plenty of heart in the first innings, but in the second he seemed to have tweaked his line, attacking the stumps more often. Vyshak Vijaykumar removed Shubham Pundir to leave J&K two down.
Despite losing two wickets, J&K remain firmly in control. Karnataka would need nothing short of a miracle to stage a comeback. Logic suggests the radiant sunshine in Hubballi continues to smile on J&K’s players.
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