Ranji Trophy: Vidarbha bowlers bowl Jammu and Kashmir out for 260, Kawalpreet run out on 96

Vidarbha's bowlers produced a fine display in the Ranji Trophy and bowled former champions Jammu and Kashmir out for 260 in the first innings. The Elite Group match is being played at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar. On the first day, Vidarbha's bowlers were disciplined and gave the Jammu and Kashmir batters little chance to play freely. The whole Jammu and Kashmir side was dismissed in 82.5 overs.

Vidarbha's innings had not begun when stumps were drawn. Nachiket Bhute was the most successful Vidarbha bowler, taking 3 wickets for 41 runs in 16.5 overs. Rajneesh Gurbani took 2 for 41 in 14 overs. Yash Thakur dismissed two batters, conceding 63 runs in 17 overs. Prafulla Hinge and Harsh Dubey took one wicket each. Harsh conceded 39 runs in 14 overs. Mandar Mahale bowled economically, giving away only 16 runs in 9 overs.

Jammu and Kashmir were under pressure from the start. Qamran Iqbal was out for 9 and Yawer Hassan for 21. Paras Dogra and Kawalpreet Singh then tried to steady the innings, but the team's difficulties grew after Dogra's dismissal. Kawalpreet stood firm at one end while wickets fell steadily at the other. Bhute, Gurbani and Thakur took wickets at key moments to keep Jammu and Kashmir's score in check.

Kawalpreet Singh stoutly faced the Vidarbha bowlers for Jammu and Kashmir. He made 96 off 176 balls with 15 fours. He was run out off Hinge's bowling, missing a century by just four runs. He was the top scorer for Jammu and Kashmir. Captain Paras Dogra made 36 off 67 balls and wicketkeeper-batter Rhythm Sharma contributed 31 off 45 balls. Lone Nasir scored 21 off 53 balls and Yawer Hassan 21 off 45 balls. Despite these innings, Jammu and Kashmir could not post a big total.

Vidarbha have made three changes to their playing eleven for their second Ranji match. Young all-rounder Mandar Mahale has replaced Yash Rathod, who scored a century in the previous match. It is Mandar's first first-class match. The 25-year-old caught the attention of the Vidarbha Cricket Association selectors with a strong showing on the Namibia tour, where he was Vidarbha's top run-scorer. Besides Mandar, fast bowler Rajneesh Gurbani has come in for Darshan Nalkande and fast bowler Yash Thakur for Parth Rekhade.

Having held Jammu and Kashmir to 260, Vidarbha have a good chance of taking a first-innings lead. However, given the Srinagar pitch and conditions, their batters will have to show patience and technique. If Vidarbha's batters build big partnerships, the team can strengthen its position in the match further.