*J&K eye big lead despite Mayank’s ton
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: Aqib Nabi produced a sensational opening spell as Jammu and Kashmir took a commanding position against Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy final here today. Despite a defiant hundred by Mayank Agarwal, J&K dominated proceedings, leaving the eight-time champions struggling.
After posting a mammoth first-innings total of 584, powered by Shubham Pundir’s brilliant 121 and significant contributions from Yawer Hassan (88), captain Paras Dogra (70), Abdul Samad (61), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70) and Sahil Lotra (72), J&K put themselves in a strong position.
Nabi then took centre stage with a fiery spell, ending the day with 3 wickets for 32 runs in 14 overs. The 28-year-old pacer, who has taken over 55 wickets in nine matches this season, including a 12-wicket haul against Madhya Pradesh in the quarter-final, bowled with pace, swing, and precision. He dismissed KL Rahul with a perfectly executed delivery that edged to keeper Wadhawan, a decision upheld after a review by skipper Paras Dogra.
Nabi further dismantled Karnataka’s batting, removing Karun Nair and Ravichandran Smaran in successive deliveries. Left-arm seamer Sunil Kumar had earlier claimed Karnataka captain Devdutt Padikkal. Despite these blows, Agarwal and Kruthik Krishna added 105 runs for the fifth wicket, stabilising the innings somewhat.
At stumps on day three, Karnataka were 220/5, trailing by 364 runs, with Agarwal unbeaten on 130 and Krishna on 27. Nabi’s brilliance ensured J&K maintained the upper hand heading into the fourth and penultimate day.
J&K’s dominant first innings and Nabi’s lethal bowling display underlined their intentions to clinch the title in their maiden Ranji Trophy final. Karnataka’s Prasidh Krishna was the most successful bowler for the home team, taking 5/98 in 34.1 overs. The stage is now set for an exciting conclusion, with Jammu and Kashmir in a strong position to secure a historic Ranji Trophy triumph.
Brief Scores
J&K 584 in 173.1 overs (Shubham Pundir 121, Yawer Hassan 88, Sahil Lotra 72, Paras Dogra 70, Kanhaiya Wadhawan 70; Prasidh Krishna 5/98).
Karnataka 220/5 in 69 overs (Mayank Agarwal 130 batting; Auqib Nabi 3/32).
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