Smaran’s 68 lifts Rest of India after Jammu & Kashmir strike early in Srinagar

Rest of India were bowled out for 237 on the opening day of the Irani Cup in Srinagar, rescued from a precarious position by Smaran Ravichandran’s innings of 68. Jammu & Kashmir, the reigning Ranji Trophy champions, closed on 21 for two, trailing by 216 runs.

Early wickets put RoI under pressure

Jammu & Kashmir chose to bowl on a lively surface at Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium and made regular inroads. Sunil Kumar and Lone Nasir Muzaffar took three wickets apiece as Rest of India slipped from 108 for two to 155 for seven.

Shikhar Mohan made 60 and shared a 76-run third-wicket stand with Sarfaraz Khan, who scored 45. But Mohan edged behind off Nasir, Sarfaraz fell to Umar Nazir, and captain Rishabh Pant was dismissed in Nazir’s next over.

Smaran steadies the innings

Smaran then helped restore some substance to the total. He added 39 with Akash Deep, who made 22, before putting on 43 with Mukesh Choudhary. Smaran’s 68 was the innings’ highest score, taking Rest of India beyond 200 before he was dismissed.

Jammu & Kashmir were without fast bowler Auqib Nabi, who was away with the national side for its ongoing ODI series against West Indies. The hosts lost Shubham Pundir to Mukesh Choudhary in their brief reply, and Umar Nazir was caught behind off Akash Deep shortly before stumps.

Controlled entry at the Srinagar venue

The match has returned the Irani Cup to Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium amid heightened security. In a report ahead of the fixture, The Times of India said invitations had been limited to a select audience and that only one stadium gate would be used for entry, with other gates kept closed. Officials cited the venue’s history and said they did not want to take chances.

Close of play: Rest of India 237; Jammu & Kashmir 21 for two, trailing by 216 runs. Smaran Ravichandran 68; Shikhar Mohan 60; Sunil Kumar 3-36; Lone Nasir Muzaffar 3-59.