The Paras Dogra-led Jammu and Kashmir scripted history at Bengal Cricket Academy Ground, Kalyani, as they beat hosts by six wickets to qualify for Ranji Trophy final for the first time. Auqib Nabi who picked a fifer and a four-fer outshined Mohammed Shami who claimed a career-best eight-wicket haul. The collapse in their second innings cost Bengal as the target of 126 set by them was chased down easily by Jammu & Kashmir.
In the run chase of 126, the visitors lost early wickets but the unbeaten 55-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Vanshaj Sharma and Abdul Samad ensured there is no twist to the tale.
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Bengal collapse in 2nd innings
Earlier, on Day 3, Bengal were bowled out for 99 in just 25.1 overs. Nabi and Sunil Kumar claimed four-fers as Bengal squandered the advantage provided by Shami's eight-fer.
Jammu & Kashmir miss out on taking a lead
Jammu & Kashmir were bowled out for 302 in their first innings. After Dogra's 58 and Abdul Samad's fiery 82, lower-order batters Nabi and Yudhvir Singh Charak showed fight with a 64-run partnership before Shami mopped up the tail. Nabi missed his fifty as he was knocked over for 42 off 54 balls. Shami claimed eight wickets for 90 runs, his best in red-ball cricket and professional career.
Gharamiโs ton in vain
In the semifinal, Dogra had won the toss and opted to bowl first. Bengal skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran missed his fifty by just one run. An in-form Sudip Kumar Gharami played the anchor knock. Shahbaz Ahmed and Sumanta Gupta missed fifties but Gharami contributed with 146 off 246 deliveries, taking the score to 328.
Jammu & Kashmir vs Karnataka in Ranji Trophy final
Bengal are highly likely to face Devdutt Padikkal-led Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy final. At Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, Karnataka posted a gigantic first innings total of 736, courtesy Padikkal's maiden double ton and centuries from in-form KL Rahul and Samaran Ravichandran. They bowled out Uttarakhand for 233 and took a 503-run lead. Padikkal decided against giving the follow-on. Even if the semifinal ends in a draw, Karnataka will progress to the final on the basis of first innings lead.