RANCHI: Jammu and Kashmir opener Shubham Khajuria waged a lone battle but Himachal Pradesh managed to bundle the team out for 162 and finish day one on 58 for two in their Ranji Trophy Group C fixture here today.
Electing to bat, Jammu and Kashmir lost their first wicket in the second over but 21-year-old Khajuria remained steady during his 48 (88b; 8×4) and tried to build small partnerships with other batsmen.
But none of the others could apply themselves and J&K lost seven wickets for 60 runs to fold in 65.2 overs.
In reply, Himachal Pradesh ended the day on 58 for 2 in 16 overs with Ankit Kalsi batting on 25 and Paras Dogra on three at the JSCA International Stadium Complex.
Khajuria, who’s J&K’s leading run-getter with 403 runs from four matches, looked solid even as wickets kept on falling at the other end.
The opener finally lost his calm and was the last to get out, becoming left-arm spinner’s Mayank Dagar’s fourth victim (4/33) in the 10th over after tea.
Medium pacer Pankaj Jaiswal (3/37) gave the Himachal Pradesh the first breakthrough, trapping Umar Nazir LBW in the third ball of his first over.
Khajuria had a partnership with Ian Dev Singh (18) but before they could stretch it beyond 50 Dagar opened his account.
In the post-lunch session, Puneet Bisht (18) was run out by Jaiswal while Samiullah Beigh’s dismissal triggered the collapse.
Brief scores:
J&K 1st innings: 162 in 65.2 overs (Shubham Khajuria 48; Mayank Dagar 4/33, Pankaj Jaswal 3/37).
Himachal Pradesh 1st innings: 58 for two in 16 overs (Ankit Kalsi 25 batting). (AGENCIES)
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