Jammu: Jammu & Kashmir delivered a clinical all-round performance on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 fixture against Hyderabad, turning the contest heavily in their favour with a substantial 324-run lead by stumps at the JKCA Sports Hostel & Science Ground.
Starting with the ball, J&K took only 11.2 overs to clean up the Hyderabad tail for 121, converting their overnight advantage into a 49-run lead. The star of the innings was Sunil Kumar, who produced an inspired spell to register his maiden First-Class five-wicket haul, rattling the stumps thrice and triggering a rapid collapse. Auqib Nabi chipped in with a swinging beauty to dismiss Rakshann, further damaging Hyderabad’s hopes.
With momentum behind them, J&K’s top order came out firing in the second innings. Opener Qamran Iqbal launched a blistering counter-attack, smashing boundaries off Kartikeya Kak and Rakshann Readdi to push the scoring rate early. Though Shubham Khajuria fell to a sharp delivery, Vivrant Sharma carried the attacking intent, adding valuable runs as the lead crossed 100.
Iqbal brought up a stylish half-century before being trapped leg-before, followed soon by skipper Paras Dogra, leaving Hyderabad with a small window of opportunity. However, that was the last time they held control.
The innings then belonged to Abdul Samad and Kanhaiya Wadhwan, who shifted gears effortlessly with a fluent, unbeaten 148-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Samad unleashed his trademark power-hitting against the left-arm spin duo Aniketh Reddy and Tanay Thyagarajan, repeatedly clearing cow corner with ease, while Wadhwan remained composed and technical at the other end.
As the day closed, Hyderabad stood under immense pressure, trailing significantly with two days remaining and facing a near-impossible rescue mission.
Score Summary (End of Day 2)
Hyderabad 1st Innings: 121 all out
Jammu & Kashmir 1st Innings: 170 all out
Jammu & Kashmir 2nd Innings: 203/4 (lead: 324 runs)
Abdul Samad: 76* (134b, 6×4, 4×6)
Kanhaiya Wadhwan: 82* (98b, 10×4, 1×6)
Sunil Kumar: 5 wickets (maiden FC five-for).
