Srinagar, Oct 12 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir suffered a major batting collapse against Madhya Pradesh on Monday, getting bowled out for 120 on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match at Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Srinagar, as the visitors extended their overall lead to 135 runs by reaching 59 for four in their second innings at stumps.
Madhya Pradesh, as per news agency JKNS, resuming their first innings at 43 for three, were dismissed for 196 in 74.2 overs, securing a 76-run first-innings lead over J&K, who had elected to bowl after winning the toss.
Rohit Sharma led the J&K bowling attack with an impressive five-wicket haul, conceding 36 runs in 21.2 overs. Sunil Kumar claimed four wickets for 69 runs, while Auqib Nabi took one wicket.
MP captain Shubham Sharma top-scored with 79 off 174 balls, including eight boundaries. Aryan Pandey contributed 35 off 60 balls, while Chanchal Rathore scored 33 off 75 balls.
In reply, J&K struggled to build partnerships and were bowled out for 120 in 46.3 overs. Qamran Iqbal scored 31 off 64 balls, while wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan remained unbeaten on 35 off 63 balls. Shubham Pundir added 20 runs, and Abdul Samad contributed 17.
The hosts lost their first three wickets for 41 runs before Qamran’s dismissal at 62 further dented their innings. Captain Paras Dogra managed just eight runs, while the lower order failed to offer substantial resistance.
For Madhya Pradesh, Avesh Khan and Aryan Pandey picked up three wickets each, Akshay Sharma claimed two, and Ravi Kiran took one.
Starting their second innings with a 76-run advantage, Madhya Pradesh lost four wickets for 56 runs before finishing the day at 59 for four in 27 overs, taking their overall lead to 135 runs.
Yash Dubey scored 22, while Shubham Sharma remained unbeaten on 15. Harsh Gawali made 11, and Chanchal Rathore contributed eight.
Auqib Nabi and Sunil Kumar claimed two wickets each in the second innings, keeping J&K in contention despite the visitors’ advantage.
With two days remaining in the four-day contest, J&K will look for early breakthroughs on Tuesday to prevent Madhya Pradesh from extending their lead further. The match is scheduled to conclude on October 14. (JKNS)
