Ranji Trophy: Jammu and Kashmir stun star-studded Mumbai, leave their title defence in tatters

Never did J&K get star-struck. Barring the one-and-a-half session on Friday, when Thakur and Tanush Kotian dragged Mumbai out of trouble with the bat, they played with authority and looked in control all the time; a rare achievement for a side visiting the Mumbai Cricket Association’s Bandra-Kurla Complex Ground.

But they bowled in the right areas, batted with an uncluttered mind and showed remarkable agility in the field — flinging their bodies to take stunning catches and throwing themselves around to save the extra run — to record a five-wicket win. The result meant Mumbai’s title defence now hangs in the balance and they will have to return to winning ways in the next round against Meghalaya — and hope other results go their way.

For J&K, this was a second successive win over Mumbai. They flew down to Mumbai one week before the league game to get some red-ball practice and get accustomed to the conditions here.

The other day, J&K pacer Umar Nazir — who was a part of the team that defeated Mumbai in 2014 as well — was asked about the best day of his career. “When we defeated Mumbai,” he replied without any hesitation. “Hope we do it again.”

Nazir was one of the architects of this win. He took four crucial wickets in the first innings and two more in the second. His new-ball partner Auqib Nabi chipped in with four wickets in the second innings and Player of the Match Yudhvir Singh got seven in the match, including three in the second; that of Rohit, Jaiswal and Kotian.

Mumbai were bundled out for 290, adding only 26 runs to their overnight score. That meant J&K, who already had the first-innings advantage, needed 205 for an outright win, a tricky target on a pitch that offered considerable bounce and swing to the pacers.

When they lost Yawer Hassan at 37, it seemed that they had a mountain to climb. But Shubham Khajuria and Vivrant Sharma steadied the ship and added 75 runs to take them closer to the target.

There was another hiccup after left-arm spinner Shams Mulani landed a double blow. Khajuria, the left-handed opener, was bowled and in Mulani’s next over, Sharma was caught in deep.

J&K lost two more wickets in quick succession that saw them being reduced to 159 for 5, with Abdul Samad and Paras Dogra both losing their wickets in an attempt to launch a counter-attack to put Mumbai on the back foot.

But just when it felt like Mumbai were back in the contest, Abid Mushtaq, a left-handed batsman, poured water over their challenge. With 40 runs needed, Mushtaq hit offie Kotian for a six over long on. With wicket-keeper batsman Kanhaiya Wadhawan at the other end, the duo handled pressure with utmost ease and guided J&K closer to the target.

Jammu and Kashmir’s players celebrate after winning a Ranji Trophy cricket match against Mumbai at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC in Mumbai on Saturday. (PTI Photo)

Mushtaq, 28, hit the winning runs to propel his side to the top of Group A with 29 points.

Mumbai captain Rahane acknowledged that J&K had a good pace attack that bowled in the right channels. “They have a good pace attack and more to it they bowled in right channels to us. I always believe no team is to be taken lightly and J&K is a good team. As far as qualification goes, we have a one percent chance, so let’s hope,” Rahane said.

No Rohit Sharma, Jaiswal for the next match

Meanwhile, Indian captain Rohit Sharma and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal won’t be featuring in the next round of Ranji Trophy which is scheduled to be played in Mumbai against Meghalaya.

Sharma had an average outing for Mumbai, scoring 3 and 28. He has informed the Mumbai team management that he will be preparing for the forthcoming white-ball series against England followed by the Champions Trophy and hence, won’t be a part of the next match.

Jaiswal, too, looked out of touch as he could score only 4 and 26. Like Rohit, Jaiswal, too, is part of the Indian team for the England series and the Champions Trophy.