New Delhi, Jan 24 :
Railways seamer Anureet Singh’s five-wicket haul kept them in quarter-final hunt as home team got three crucial points against Jammu and Kashmir by virtue of first innings lead in curtailed group league match of the Ranji Trophy, here today.
After losing the entire second day and half of third day, Railways on the final day after a two-hour delay made a sporting declaration of their first innings at 234 for five leaving J&K with two sessions to score the runs.
However the in-form trio of Anureet (5/48), Krishnakant Upadhyay (2/24) and Ranjeet Mali (2/34) bowled well in tandem as Jammu and Kashmir were bowled out for a paltry 114 in only 42.4 overs.
Under slightly overcast conditions, Anureet and Upadhyay bowled in good areas and hit the perfect length to trouble the J&K batsmen.
While Paschim Pathak’s poor umpiring could have hurt Railways as he ruled out couple of plumb leg-before decisions, Anureet and Krishnakant then got their men bowled out.
Skipper and wicketkeeper Mahesh Rawat after his quickfire 45 also effected a smart run-out with a reflex throw to send back opposition’s batting mainstay Ian Dev Singh (13).
Once Mali got rival skipper Parveez Rasool edging one to India international Karn Sharma at first slip, with scoreboard on 75, it was difficult for Jammu and Kashmir to come back in the game.
Credit should also be given to Railways coach Harvinder Singh, the man who initiated the declaration at lunch in order to atleast go for three points.
Railways with 13 points from six games are in fourth position in group B while Jammu and Kashmir with 12 points from seven games have to depend on other results and a big win with bonus points in order to get into the next stage.
Railways play Bengal in Kolkata in the next round starting January 29, while J&K travel to Indore for their next game against Madhya Pradesh.
Brief Scores: Railways 234/5 decl (Rohan Bhosale 54, Nitin Bhille 45, Mahesh Rawat 45, Ram dayal 2/50)
Jammu and Kashmir 114 in 42.4 overs (Aditya Singh 32, Ram Dayal 23, Anureet Singh 5/48, Krishnakant Upadhyay 2/24).
Points: Railways 3; J&K 1. (PTI)
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