302/10 (76.1)
CR : 3.96
328/10 (97.1)
CR : 3.38
Jammu and Kashmir won by 6 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
A Nabi
5/87 & 4/3642(54)
Over 35
Jammu and Kashmir 126/4
Vanshaj Sharma43(83)
Abdul Samad30(27)
Mukesh Kumar0-24(6.4)
J&K won by 6 wickets
11:03 AM IST and Local Time: Jammu and Kashmir: 126/4! A proud day for all the Kashmiris! They have waited 66 years for this moment. The team first took part in 1959-60. The earned their first victory in 1982-83. They lost in the quarterfinals by a solitary run last time around.
Well, this Jammu and Kashmir team has buried the ghosts of the past and have emerged victorious beating an extremely potent Bengal side in West Bengal! It is a unit of 11 desperate and passionate cricketers who have propelled their state into the FINALS FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME! Let us look back at what unfolded in the last 4 days!
Day 1: Jammu and Kashmir won the toss and elected to bowl first. They had to go through a draining first day as Bengal showed great resolve with the bat. Abhimanyu Easwaran with his 49 and a brilliant 146 from Sudip Gharami headlined Day 1 as Bengal made the J&K bowlers toil. Auqib Nabi was once again the pick of the bowlers and picked up 3 scalps on the opening day. End of Day 1 Bengal: 249/5!
Day 2: The second day saw a dramatic collapse from the Bengal batters. From a position of strength at 269/5, they slipped to 306/9 in a span of just 7 overs. Nabi reached yet another 5 wicket haul. He got great support from other pacers Yudhvir Singh and Sunil Kumar. Bengal eventually were bundled out for 328.
J&K's first innings started on a wobbly note as the top 3 batters were dismissed for single digits. They were reeling at 13/3. That is when Captain Paras Dogra (58) and Abdul Samad (82) led a fantastic counterattack to get the team back on track. They pushed the score to 156/3. However, a double blow at that time in which both set batters were taken out brought the score to 156/5. End of Day 2 J&K: 198/5. Trailing by 130 Runs.
Day 3: The match hung in the balance at the start of the moving day. However, Shami had different plans and took out 3 quick wickets in the first hour to add problems to J&K and leave them at 231/8. In that process he also brought up a scintillating 5 wicket haul. That is when the J&K lower order stood up strong. Auqib Nabi and Yudhvir Singh added 64 runs for the 9th wicket. They are into the deficit and what could have been a 70-run lead was only a 26 runs lead when J&K were bowled out for 302. Sensational Shami ended with unreal figures of 8-90.
Bengal could not capitalize on that as they came up against a pace attack that was breathing fire. Auqib Nabi, Yudhvir Singh and Sunil Kumar bowled remarkably well with the new ball in the Bengal second innings leaving them 19/4 after getting each of the top 4 batters LBW. There was a small partnership between Shahbaz Ahmed and Suraj Jaiswal. However, Yudhvir and Nabi got rid of both set batters to send Bengal into Tea at 77/6.
The final session saw them crumble even further as Sunil Kumar took out two batters in two balls to the short ball plan. Nabi added the finishing touches as Bengal was wrapped up for 99 only! Nabi and Sunil Kumar both had 4 wickets each to their name. Bengal were leading by 125, which meant J&K needed 126 to reach their first ever Ranji Trophy Final.
Akash Deep and Mohammad Shami started the defence with the new ball and the former instilled some fear as he took out both the openers early leaving J&K at 12/2. Shubham Pundir and Vanshaj Sharma showed enough application to make sure that no other casualties take place. End of Day 3 J&K: 43/2. Require 83 more runs to win.
Day 4: Today started on a good note for Bengal. Shami struck early breaking the overnight partnership. He took out Pundir with the score hanging at 50/3. Paras Dogra joined Vanshaj and the pair pushed the score to 71 before Paras was dismissed by Akash Deep.
It looked a little nervy over there for J&K However, Abdul Samad came out all guns blazing to shut out any doubts. He smoked maximums for fun and killed the chase in a flash. Vanshaj too got motivated by that and hit a few boundaries to close out a HISTORIC WIN. Vanshaj Sharma ended with 43* and Abdul Samad ended with 30*. It is a day to rejoice for Jammu and Kashmir. However, they will know the job is far from done!
Well, this Jammu and Kashmir team has buried the ghosts of the past and have emerged victorious beating an extremely potent Bengal side in West Bengal! It is a unit of 11 desperate and passionate cricketers who have propelled their state into the FINALS FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME! Let us look back at what unfolded in the last 4 days!
Day 1: Jammu and Kashmir won the toss and elected to bowl first. They had to go through a draining first day as Bengal showed great resolve with the bat. Abhimanyu Easwaran with his 49 and a brilliant 146 from Sudip Gharami headlined Day 1 as Bengal made the J&K bowlers toil. Auqib Nabi was once again the pick of the bowlers and picked up 3 scalps on the opening day. End of Day 1 Bengal: 249/5!
Day 2: The second day saw a dramatic collapse from the Bengal batters. From a position of strength at 269/5, they slipped to 306/9 in a span of just 7 overs. Nabi reached yet another 5 wicket haul. He got great support from other pacers Yudhvir Singh and Sunil Kumar. Bengal eventually were bundled out for 328.
J&K's first innings started on a wobbly note as the top 3 batters were dismissed for single digits. They were reeling at 13/3. That is when Captain Paras Dogra (58) and Abdul Samad (82) led a fantastic counterattack to get the team back on track. They pushed the score to 156/3. However, a double blow at that time in which both set batters were taken out brought the score to 156/5. End of Day 2 J&K: 198/5. Trailing by 130 Runs.
Day 3: The match hung in the balance at the start of the moving day. However, Shami had different plans and took out 3 quick wickets in the first hour to add problems to J&K and leave them at 231/8. In that process he also brought up a scintillating 5 wicket haul. That is when the J&K lower order stood up strong. Auqib Nabi and Yudhvir Singh added 64 runs for the 9th wicket. They are into the deficit and what could have been a 70-run lead was only a 26 runs lead when J&K were bowled out for 302. Sensational Shami ended with unreal figures of 8-90.
Bengal could not capitalize on that as they came up against a pace attack that was breathing fire. Auqib Nabi, Yudhvir Singh and Sunil Kumar bowled remarkably well with the new ball in the Bengal second innings leaving them 19/4 after getting each of the top 4 batters LBW. There was a small partnership between Shahbaz Ahmed and Suraj Jaiswal. However, Yudhvir and Nabi got rid of both set batters to send Bengal into Tea at 77/6.
The final session saw them crumble even further as Sunil Kumar took out two batters in two balls to the short ball plan. Nabi added the finishing touches as Bengal was wrapped up for 99 only! Nabi and Sunil Kumar both had 4 wickets each to their name. Bengal were leading by 125, which meant J&K needed 126 to reach their first ever Ranji Trophy Final.
Akash Deep and Mohammad Shami started the defence with the new ball and the former instilled some fear as he took out both the openers early leaving J&K at 12/2. Shubham Pundir and Vanshaj Sharma showed enough application to make sure that no other casualties take place. End of Day 3 J&K: 43/2. Require 83 more runs to win.
Day 4: Today started on a good note for Bengal. Shami struck early breaking the overnight partnership. He took out Pundir with the score hanging at 50/3. Paras Dogra joined Vanshaj and the pair pushed the score to 71 before Paras was dismissed by Akash Deep.
It looked a little nervy over there for J&K However, Abdul Samad came out all guns blazing to shut out any doubts. He smoked maximums for fun and killed the chase in a flash. Vanshaj too got motivated by that and hit a few boundaries to close out a HISTORIC WIN. Vanshaj Sharma ended with 43* and Abdul Samad ended with 30*. It is a day to rejoice for Jammu and Kashmir. However, they will know the job is far from done!
Time for the post-match presentations.
Abhimanyu Easwaran (Bengal Captain): "(What was the turning point of the match?) I think after the first innings lead, we were ahead in the game. But they bowled really well and we could not bat well. A couple of partnerships were needed and we could not do that. That's where the game went away.
(On the positives of the season) A lot of positives. Gharami batted well in quarter final and semi-final. Almost got a triple hundred and a hundred in this game. Shami bhai bowled his heart out throughout the season. I think we just fell short in one session.
There's always thought that we could've had 350-400 but that is how it goes. We had the belief of winning this today too. We started well but the things did not work out. Really proud of the effort from the guys."
(On the positives of the season) A lot of positives. Gharami batted well in quarter final and semi-final. Almost got a triple hundred and a hundred in this game. Shami bhai bowled his heart out throughout the season. I think we just fell short in one session.
There's always thought that we could've had 350-400 but that is how it goes. We had the belief of winning this today too. We started well but the things did not work out. Really proud of the effort from the guys."
Player of the Match: Auqib Nabi
Auqib Nabi (Player of the Match): "(On the feelings) Feels really good to play the final for the first time. We worked really hard and practiced a lot for this only.
(Thoughts after conceding the first innings lead) We were positive. We restricted them well in the first innings. They got over 600 in the last match and we did well against them. We knew that it we bowl well, we can restrict them and chase the score.
(Strengths of your own bowling) I just bowl through a channel. I do not like to over complicate things. I just stick to the strength and do well. I work on my batting too. Our last four-five players add 100-150 too. This is a strength as a unit.
(What coaches said after the second innings) They told us to stay positive and do well. First time we will be playing the final. Last time we missed out in the quarter final but worked hard to bounce back this season."
(Thoughts after conceding the first innings lead) We were positive. We restricted them well in the first innings. They got over 600 in the last match and we did well against them. We knew that it we bowl well, we can restrict them and chase the score.
(Strengths of your own bowling) I just bowl through a channel. I do not like to over complicate things. I just stick to the strength and do well. I work on my batting too. Our last four-five players add 100-150 too. This is a strength as a unit.
(What coaches said after the second innings) They told us to stay positive and do well. First time we will be playing the final. Last time we missed out in the quarter final but worked hard to bounce back this season."
Paras Dogra (Jammu and Kashmir Captain): (Initial thoughts) It has sunk in finally. The target was a small one. We just needed one good partnership to get us over the line.
(On his first innings stand with Samad) My partnership with Samad was very important. He is always positive and the runs just keep on flowing. Even I got a few under my name.
(Thoughts on conceding the lead) With 2.5 days left, 26 runs lead didn't scare us. We knew we could change it. Though we didn't know that we'll get them all out so fast.
(Reaching 10,000 first class runs) Very happy that I got to 10,000 runs. I have always loved this game and almighty is kind. This journey has been up and down. This game shows you a few more low days than good days, but you just have to hang in there and then almighty will take care.
(On the team and management) It feels amazing to win today. Credit goes to the management and all out team members. From day one we have been talking about winning the Ranji Trophy. Hopefully we do that."
(On his first innings stand with Samad) My partnership with Samad was very important. He is always positive and the runs just keep on flowing. Even I got a few under my name.
(Thoughts on conceding the lead) With 2.5 days left, 26 runs lead didn't scare us. We knew we could change it. Though we didn't know that we'll get them all out so fast.
(Reaching 10,000 first class runs) Very happy that I got to 10,000 runs. I have always loved this game and almighty is kind. This journey has been up and down. This game shows you a few more low days than good days, but you just have to hang in there and then almighty will take care.
(On the team and management) It feels amazing to win today. Credit goes to the management and all out team members. From day one we have been talking about winning the Ranji Trophy. Hopefully we do that."
Generations passed by and all they could see were ordinary results. However, the fire still was burning bright inside the. The passion to do something special was very much there and this team under coach Ajay Sharma has scripted history. However, knowing the DNA of this side and the coach, one would expect them to get back to the drawing board in a couple of days' time.
They will know for sure that the job is far from done. Not every day do you get to play a Ranji Trophy final. In all likeliness, it will be against a very strong Karnataka side that is currently dominating Uttarakhand. Jammu and Kashmir will be ready for the challenge, and one must look forward to that match.
On this note, I Manan Mehta would like to take your leave on behalf of my colleagues Saptak Sanyal and Ghanendra Singh Thakur. B-byeeee!!!
They will know for sure that the job is far from done. Not every day do you get to play a Ranji Trophy final. In all likeliness, it will be against a very strong Karnataka side that is currently dominating Uttarakhand. Jammu and Kashmir will be ready for the challenge, and one must look forward to that match.
On this note, I Manan Mehta would like to take your leave on behalf of my colleagues Saptak Sanyal and Ghanendra Singh Thakur. B-byeeee!!!