Srinagar, Feb 9: Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) scripted history by qualifying for the Ranji Trophy semifinals for the first time, defeating Madhya Pradesh by 56 runs in the quarterfinal at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Monday.
Chasing a target of 291, Madhya Pradesh were bowled out for 234 in their second innings on Day 4, as J&K’s disciplined pace attack, led by Auqib Nabi, sealed a famous win and a place in the last four of India’s premier domestic tournament.
Auqib, Abid lead bowling charge
Resuming Day 4 under pressure at 87/5, Madhya Pradesh showed resistance through Saransh Jain, who top-scored with 64, and Shubham Sharma, who added 32. The pair briefly revived hopes with a gritty stand, but J&K kept chipping away at regular intervals to maintain control.
Auqib Nabi was the standout performer, finishing with a five-wicket haul (5/70) in the second innings, while Abid Mushtaq provided crucial support, claiming three wickets (3/49). Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir Singh also contributed with timely breakthroughs as MP’s lower order failed to stretch the chase.
Lower-order heroics set the tone
Earlier, J&K’s second-innings total of 248 proved decisive. After the top and middle order failed to capitalise on starts, it was the lower-order resilience that swung the match in J&K’s favour.
A crucial 65-run partnership between Vanshaj Sharma (54 not out) and Sunil Kumar gave J&K the late surge they needed, extending the lead and setting MP a challenging fourth-innings target.
Despite MP pacer Kuldeep Sen emerging as the standout bowler of the match with a nine-wicket haul across two innings, J&K’s collective effort with bat and ball ensured they stayed ahead throughout the contest.
Former J&K skipper and pacer Samiullah Beigh described the moment as deeply emotional, saying, “I am thrilled to bits. I know how big a moment it is for the entire J&K in general and the cricketing fraternity in particular. Since our inception in 1959, we have been striving to qualify for the semifinals, and after so many years, these young boys have finally realised that dream. All kudos to the JKCA for meritorious selection and to the players for delivering in crunch moments.”
