Hyderabad facilitated a collapse on Day Four that had Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) bowled out for 117 in its second innings for a 286-run victory in the Ranji Trophy Group C match at Motibaug ground. Hyderabad now sits on 29 points in the points table, after seven matches.
J & K skipper Parvez Rasool, who had scored an attacking 70 in the first innings, was dismissed caught behind for a five-ball duck by leggie Akash Bhandari. It was a moment that signalled the inevitability of the forthcoming sequence of events. Rasool’s was the sixth wicket to fall. Fast bowler Chama Milind and Akash Bhandari wrapped up the tail quickly to finish the game.
Hyderabad wicketkeeper Sumanth Kollah made a mark with four catches and one stumping, helping spinner Bhandari, who took three wickets. Milind (4 for 39) scalped three batsmen on the fourth day to hasten victory. Fellow seamer Ravi Kiran (2 for 24) continued an impressive showing this season. The third seamer Mohammed Siraj is also proving his worth; he has given team coach Bharat Arun satisfaction of pre-season work paying off.
Arun explained Hyderabad’s decision not enforce the follow-on on the third day, letting go the chance to earn a bonus point. “Our batting has not been consistent, so we did not want to get into a situation when asked to chase 150-plus in the fourth innings,” he said.
Rasool, who took five wickets in the match and besides providing resistance with the bat, reflected on the loss:
“Hyderabad adjusted to conditions better than us. Motibaug wicket is known for helping fast bowlers, the advantage our bowlers could not capitalise on and from the time they scored 300-plus in the first innings, the game went away from us.”
“My job is to perform and show my worth as one of the top all-rounders in domestic cricket. I hope my team-mates realise the demands of first-class cricket and raise their level quickly, so that as a side we can match other teams,” he added.