Srinagar, Oct 12 (KNO): Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir suffered a major batting collapse against Madhya Pradesh on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash at Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar on Monday, being bowled out for 120 before the visitors extended their overall lead to 135 runs by reaching 59 for four in their second innings at stumps.
Madhya Pradesh, who had resumed their first innings at 43 for three on Sunday, were dismissed for 196 in 74.2 overs, taking a 76-run lead over J&K, who had elected to bowl after winning the toss.
According to the details, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Rohit Sharma starred with the ball for J&K, claiming five wickets for 36 runs in 21.2 overs, while Sunil Kumar picked up four wickets for 69 runs. Auqib Nabi took the remaining wicket.
MP captain Shubham Sharma top-scored with 79 off 174 balls, hitting eight boundaries, while Aryan Pandey contributed 35 off 60 balls and Chanchal Rathore made 33 off 75 balls.
Rohit struck twice on the opening day, dismissing Himanshu Mantri for 17 and Harsh Gawali for 12, both caught by Abdul Samad, as MP ended Sunday at 43 for three after 23 overs. The visitors added 153 runs on the second day before losing their remaining seven wickets.
In reply, J&K struggled to build partnerships and were bowled out for 120 in 46.3 overs. Qamran Iqbal top-scored with 31 off 64 balls, while wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan remained unbeaten on 35 off 63 balls. Shubham Pundir made 20 and Abdul Samad contributed 17.
The hosts lost their first three wickets for just 41 runs before Qamran’s dismissal at 62 left them further under pressure. Captain Paras Dogra managed eight runs, while the lower order failed to add enough runs as J&K conceded a first-innings deficit of 76.
For Madhya Pradesh, Avesh Khan and Aryan Pandey claimed three wickets each, while Akshay Sharma took two wickets. Ravi Kiran picked up one wicket.
MP, per KNO, began their second innings with a 76-run advantage but lost four wickets for 56 runs before reaching 59 for four in 27 overs at stumps, taking their overall lead to 135 runs.
Yash Dubey scored 22, while Shubham Sharma was unbeaten on 15. Harsh Gawali made 11 and Chanchal Rathore contributed eight.
Auqib Nabi and Sunil Kumar took 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 need early breakthroughs on Tuesday to prevent Madhya Pradesh from extending their lead further and putting the hosts under greater pressure. The match is scheduled to conclude on October 14—(KNO)