Ranji Trophy | Auqib Nabis five-for units up riveting ultimate day between J&Ok and Mumbai

After an action-packed third day, which witnessed as many as 14 wickets tumble, there may be little to decide on between Jammu & Kashmir and Mumbai. As issues stand of their first-round Elite Group-D Ranji Trophy contest on the Sher E Kashmir Cricket Stadium on Friday, the host, which reached 21 for one within the fourth innings at stumps, wants one other 222 runs to notch up its third straight win within the competitors in opposition to Mumbai.

The 42-time champion, however, will likely be eyeing 9 wickets as quickly as attainable in defence of a goal of 243.

If J&Ok is able to consider victory regardless of conceding a first-innings lead of 61 runs in Friday’s morning session, it’s due to pacer Auqib Nabi’s exploits. The 28-year-old from Baramulla, who was the very best wicket-taker amongst quick bowlers within the 2024-25 Ranji season (44 scalps in eight matches), produced the products but once more with figures of 16-3-52-5. It is his tenth five-wicket haul in 32 First Class appearances.

It helped J&Ok bounce again after including solely 52 runs to its in a single day first-innings complete of 273 for seven. Nabi’s talent and accuracy meant Mumbai was bundled out for 181 within the third innings.

Much just like the opening day, the guests’ reputed top-order batters didn’t click on. While Musheer Khan was trapped leg-before by Nabi, Ajinkya Rahane nicked one to Kanhaiya Wadhawan behind the stumps. The rating was nonetheless on 22 when Mumbai misplaced a 3rd wicket — Ayush Mhatre was caught in entrance by Umar Nazir. Sarfaraz Khan gave the impression to be in good contact throughout a knock of 32 earlier than additionally being pinned leg-before by Nabi.

While Shams Mulani and Akash Anand provided some resistance with a stand of fifty, the J&Ok bowlers polished off the lower-order rapidly. With Mumbai then claiming the wicket of opener Shubham Khajuria, an enchanting ultimate day is within the offing.

The scores: Mumbai — 1st innings: 386.

Jammu & Kashmir — 1st innings: Qamran Iqbal c Mhatre b Umair 23, Shubham Khajuria c Mhatre b Shardul 0, Musaif Ajaz c Lad b Deshpande 1, Paras Dogra c Mhatre b Shardul 144, Abdul Samad c Musheer b Kotian 44, Kanhaiya Wadhawan st. Anand b Mulani 15, Sahil Lotra b Deshpande 4, Abid Mushtaq c Mulani b Kotian 40, Auqib Nabi c Anand b Deshpande 21, Yudhvir Singh c Deshpande b Mulani 10, Umar Nazir (not out) 4; Extras (nb-1, w-6, b-4, lb-8): 19; Total (in 75.1 overs): 325.

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-2, 3-32, 4-126, 5-161, 6-166, 7-234, 8-290, 9-313.

Mumbai bowling: Shardul 12.1-0-80-2, Deshpande 19-5-57-3, Umair 12-2-49-1, Kotian 14-0-53-2, Mulani 18-1-74-2.

Mumbai — 2nd innings: Musheer Khan lbw b Nabi 8, Ayush Mhatre lbw b Nazir 13, Ajinkya Rahane c Wadhawan b Nabi 0, Siddhesh Lad c Wadhawan b Nabi 10, Sarfaraz Khan lbw b Nabi 32, Shams Mulani lbw b Mushtaq 41, Akash Anand lbw b Nabi 31, Tanush Kotian c Iqbal b Yudhvir 10, Shardul Thakur c Ajaz b Mushtaq 9, Tushar Deshpande (not out) 8, Irfan Umair b Yudhvir 4; Extras (nb-4, lb-11): 15; Total (in 56.5 overs): 181.

Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-22, 3-22, 4-63, 5-70, 6-120, 7-160, 8-160, 9-170.

J&Ok bowling: Nabi 16-3-52-5, Nazir 11-4-34-1, Yudhvir 11.5-4-30-2, Mushtaq 14-1-40-2, Lotra 3-0-8-0, Khajuria 1-0-6-0.

J&Ok — 2nd innings: Qamran Iqbal (batting) 11, Shubham Khajuria lbw b Deshpande 0, Musaif Ajaz (batting) 10; Total (for one wkt. in seven overs): 21.

Fall of wicket: 1-4.

Mumbai bowling: Shardul 4-0-19-0, Deshpande 3-2-2-1.