Srinagar, Jan 25: The Ranji Trophy match between Jammu and Kashmir and Pondicherry was declared a draw on Day 4 after persistent rain washed out proceedings for the second consecutive day, leaving J&K stranded at 150 for 6 in their first innings. With the match ending without a completed first innings, both teams were awarded one point each.
While weather played a decisive role in denying a result, the draw has once again brought focus on J&K’s batting performance, particularly the lack of contribution from the top order. Cricket observers pointed out that J&K had a genuine opportunity to secure a first-innings lead but failed to capitalise due to repeated top-order collapses.
Former J&K skipper and pacer Samiullah Beigh also weighed in on the team’s showing, stressing the need for greater responsibility from senior batters. He highlighted that while the bowling unit has consistently kept J&K competitive, the batting, especially at the top needs to show more intent and application in crunch situations to push for outright results.
Despite the missed opportunity, J&K, as per the Beigh remain strongly placed in Elite Group D, sitting second with 21 points after six rounds, behind group leaders Mumbai (30 points). Chhattisgarh, with 17 points, are close behind, keeping the race for the second knockout spot finely balanced.
“With one league match remaining, against Himachal Pradesh from January 29, J&K’s chances of qualification remain high. A positive result in the final fixture should be enough to seal a quarterfinal berth. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh face a tough final assignment against a strong Hyderabad side and would need an outright win to leapfrog J&K in the standings,” Beigh said.
He added that having narrowly missed out in the quarterfinals last season, J&K are now on the brink of achieving qualification once again. Doing so from a highly competitive Elite Group D, which includes teams like Delhi, Hyderabad, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, would underline the team’s growing consistency in India’s premier domestic red-ball competition.
As per the cricket observers, as the league phase nears its conclusion, the focus for J&K will firmly be on tightening their batting performances and ensuring they finish the job in what has otherwise been a commendable Ranji Trophy campaign.
