Srinagar, Oct 14 (KNO): Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir were held to a draw by Madhya Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match at the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, with the visitors securing a crucial first-innings lead.
Madhya Pradesh, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), declared their second innings at 249/6 in 80 overs, setting J&K a target of 326 after earning a 76-run first-innings advantage.
J&K were reeling at 12/5 early in the chase as Avesh Khan and Aryan Pandey ripped through the top order. Shubham Khajuria, Qamran Iqbal, Shubham Pundir, Abdul Samad and captain Paras Dogra all fell cheaply, leaving the hosts in deep trouble.
Kanhaiya Wadhawan and Lone Nasir Muzaffar attempted a recovery with a 39-run stand for the sixth wicket. Muzaffar scored 13 off 54 balls before falling to Pandey, while Vanshaj Sharma was dismissed for six by Ravi Kiran.
Wadhawan remained unbeaten on 27 off 51 balls, while Auqib Nabi struck an unbeaten 30 off 32 deliveries, including four fours and two sixes, as J&K closed at 88/7 in 34 overs when the match ended in a draw.
For Madhya Pradesh, Avesh Khan and Aryan Pandey claimed three wickets each, while Ravi Kiran took one.
Earlier, MP skipper Shubham Sharma produced a match-defining unbeaten 106 off 200 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes, to lead his side to 249/6 before declaration. Atharv Mahajan contributed 39, while Saransh Jain remained unbeaten on 35 off 33 balls.
For J&K, Auqib Nabi took three wickets, Sunil Kumar claimed two, and Rohit Sharma picked up one.
In the first innings, J&K were bowled out for 120 after Madhya Pradesh posted 196, conceding a 76-run lead. Rohit Sharma starred with the ball, returning figures of 5/36, while Sunil Kumar took four wickets.
Qamran Iqbal top-scored for J&K with 31 runs, while Wadhawan remained unbeaten on 35. Shubham Pundir made 20 and Abdul Samad chipped in with 17.
For MP, Avesh Khan and Aryan Pandey picked up three wickets apiece, while Akshay Sharma claimed two and Ravi Kiran one.
Shubham Sharma was named Player of the Match for his scores of 79 and an unbeaten 106.
The draw handed Madhya Pradesh the advantage of a first-innings lead, while J&K were left to regroup after a disappointing start to the defence of their Ranji Trophy title—(KNO)