Ranji Trophy: MD Nidheesh's five-wicket haul restricts J&K to 228/8
What's the story
MD Nidheesh's stunning five-wicket haul restricted Jammu and Kashmir to 228/8 on Day 1 of their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal in Pune.
Nidheesh's 5/56 helped demolish the J&K batting line-up.
He dismissed openers Shubham Khajuria (14) and Yawer Hassan (24), Vivrant Sharma, wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhwan(48), and Lone Nasir(44).
Here's more.
Team contribution
Kerala's bowling attack supports Nidheesh's efforts
Nidheesh's efforts were complemented by Basil Thampi, Aditya Sarwate, and Nedumankuzhy Basil, each taking a wicket.
Wadhwan led J&K's scoring with 48 off 80 balls, followed by Nasir's 44.
Meanwhile, Sahil Lotra contributed 35 runs, while Hassan added 24, though none managed to capitalize on their starts.
At stumps, Yudhvir Singh remains unbeaten on 17, alongside Auqib Nabi on five.
Match progress
J&K's shaky start and recovery attempts
J&K's innings began on a shaky note as Nidheesh dismissed Khajuria in the seventh over.
He further rattled the lineup by removing Sharma and Hassan, leaving J&K struggling at 48/3 in 21.2 overs.
The situation worsened when skipper Paras Dogra was bowled by Thampi for 14 in the 30th over.
Meanwhile, Wadhwan and Lotra attempted to steady the innings with a 55-run stand before Wadhwan's dismissal.
Later, Lotra and Muzaffar stitched another crucial 51-run partnership, helping J&K's recovery efforts.
FC stats
A look at Nideesh's FC numbers and current Ranji stats
With his stellar five-wicket haul on Day 1, the medium pacer now owns 96 scalps across 39 matches.
In 66 innings he owns an average of 29-plus. Additionally, this was his sixth five-wicket haul in First-Class matches.
However, his best bowling innings currently reads 7/88, with Nideesh still having a chance to better his personal record.
His best bowling match figures read 8/106. Meanwhile, in the ongoing Ranji season, he has managed 17 scalps at 18.11.